Gensmer, Richard J. (Dick)
Saginaw, Michigan
Dick died on Wednesday, November 16, 2016, at his home. Age 73 years.
He was born September 16, 1943 in Benton Harbor, Michigan and living in Coloma, Michigan until moving to Saginaw in 1954 with his parents, Rev. Richard A. and Gertrude D. (Hippauf) Gensmer. He attended St. Paul's grade school, Michigan Lutheran Seminary and Saginaw Business Institute. While at Saginaw Business Institute, Dick began working at W. L. Case and Co. He then attended Wisconsin Institute of Mortuary Science, graduating in 1967. He returned to work at W. L. Case and Co. until retiring in 2003. Dick married Joyce J. Eastling on May 3, 1969. She predeceased him, April 29, 2004. A son, Daniel R. Gensmer, predeceased him December 1, 1983. Dick was an active member of St. John Ev. Lutheran Church on Brockway Rd.
Surviving are a son and daughter, Rev. John and Amy (VonDeylen) Gensmer, Columbia, TN; Christine Dieball, Milwaukee, WI; five grandchildren, Daniel, Joshua, Benjamin and Abigail Gensmer; Ella Dieball; a sister-in-law, Christine (Robert) Young; his brothers-in-law, Ken (Ahnna) Groholski; James (Ruth) Wiersma all of Wisconsin; a step-brother, Rick (Laurie) Schmiege; a step-sister, Susan (Jim) Wilson both of Charlevoix, MI; several cousins, nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 26, 2016, at St. John Ev. Lutheran Church, 4705 Brockway Rd. Saginaw. Rev. Daniel Garbow will officiate with burial in Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may call at the W.L. Case and Co. Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Rd. from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday and then at the Church from 10:00 a.m. Saturday until the time of the funeral service. Those who so desire may make memorials to St. John Ev. Lutheran Church or Michigan Lutheran Seminary Foundation.