Honoring Tradition.
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Marie Ludwick

April 12, 1919 - January 25, 2017
West Palm Beach, FL

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Visitation

Monday, January 30, 2017
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Visitation

Monday, January 30, 2017
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Service

Tuesday, January 31, 2017
11:00 AM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Christian Rest Home Foundation
1000 Edison NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Westview Christian Reformed Church
2929 Leonard St. NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Sunlight Community Church
1325 North A St
Lake Worth, FL 33460

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Marie Flora Ludwick was a classy woman and a down-to-earth wife and mother. She loved her family dearly and showed the greatest of care for them while working outside the home and helping build a family business. Never complaining and always putting the needs of others before her own, Marie exhibited the heart of a true servant of God.

Marie Flora was born April 12, 1919 in Grand Rapids, Michigan just months before the signing of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War One. Americans would enjoy peace and prosperity as industry surged and the economy grew. Marie’s father, Herman Teitsma, went from selling coffee and teas to starting his own ice business, while her mother, Kate Vander Veen Teitsma, cared for six children at home. Marie was the third child and only daughter among her siblings Richard, Peter, Herman, Kenneth and Norman.

Growing up on Sigsby Street SE with five brothers, it was little wonder that Marie played ball with them and the neighbor kids in the lot next to their house. They also enjoyed sledding and snow skiing in winter and riding in their grandparent’s Model T when visiting them in nearby Cutlerville. Tragically, Marie’s brother Kenneth died at age 9 as the result of an abscessed tooth infection. She was 14 at the time, and two years later the family welcomed baby Norman into their hearts and home. Through all the joy and sorrow, the family was sustained by their Christian faith as members of the First Protestant Reformed Church at Fuller and Franklin in Grand Rapids and later at Twelfth Street Christian Reformed Church.

Moving to the northwest side of town on Parkhurst Street, Marie attended Oakleigh Elementary School and then Grand Rapids Christian High School, where she was a member of several clubs and active in numerous school events. After graduating with the Class of 1937, Marie was working at her father’s gas station when she met a young man who worked at Leonard Street Market selling produce. The two began dating for what turned out to be four years when Edward Ludwick was called into military service during WWII. The couple married on October 25, 1944 at Las Vegas United Methodist Church, honeymooned in Las Vega and then Grand Rapids before Marie made a decision to stay in California until Ed completed his tour of duty.

Upon Edward’s discharge, he and Marie moved back to Grand Rapids and set up housekeeping at 1122 Tamarack NW in the downstairs of her parents’ home. Eventually, they moved to 1132 Widdicomb NW, where they raised their four children: Ed, Tom, Kathy and Doug. Over the 35 years that they lived there, Marie made it a homey environment with big Sunday dinners, meals of her famous Swiss steak and baked goods such as pineapple upside down cake and banana bread. When sitting back with a cup of coffee, she liked to have something sweet, like a donut (often saying she only “needed” half a donut, but then eating the whole thing). Marie managed the household while she held down the job of assistant to Dr. Campbell, an optometrist, and Ed worked two other jobs. She kept it all together in her easy-going manner, saying, “We can just play it by ear,” or “Have fun, no matter what.”

And she did. Marie golfed, made crafts, raised orchids, sewed curtains, read romance novels and mysteries, listened to 50s music, Gospel songs and hymns, was active in mother’s club at school, watched golf and Fox News, discussed politics and volunteered as an election attendant. Always close with her siblings, Marie and her extended family spent holidays together, visited her parents in Florida during spring break and Christmas holidays, camped at Allegan County Park, spent long evenings playing Canasta, and thrilled to teach her grandchildren cards and other games. Interestingly, Marie had much fonder memories of camping than Ed, but he was willing to take the family where she wanted to go (just as long as she kept hard candy in the car to keep him awake).

Marie had a hand in helping Ed establish and build a family business, Ludwick Bakery, formerly known as Ludwick’s Sour Cream Donuts. She was involved in church activities and faithful in her support of the two churches she attended most of her life—Westview Christian Reformed Church and Lake Worth Christian Reformed Church (Sunlight Church). Beginning in the 70s, Ed and Marie spent many winters in West Palm Beach, Florida playing cards with friends and golfing as a member of the Hole-in-One Club. When Ed retired in 1986, they spent even more time down south and became permanent residents of Florida when they bought a home in 1998.

In 2007, Marie’s beloved Edward died, yet she maintained her health and exuberance for many years. She walked at least a mile every day, having started each morning with a workout of leg lifts. She spent 3-4 months of the summer in Michigan with her son Tom and family, and for her 90th birthday, she took all her kids to the Netherlands. In May of 2016, Marie moved into assisted living at Christian Rest Home for the remainder of her long and blessed life.

Marie Flora Ludwick passed to her forever home with Jesus on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband Edward and all but one of her 5 brothers. She leaves her children who will cherish her memory: Edward Ludwick of Boynton Beach, Florida, Thomas and Betsy Ludwick of Casnovia, Michigan, Kathy and Jim Ten Harmsel of Zeeland, Michigan, and Douglas and Sylvia Ludwick of West Palm Beach, Florida. She leaves her cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren, Karen & Caleb McGinty (Makayla, Elijah), Chris Ludwick, Julie & Jeff Trumpie (Ashley), TJ & Amanda Ludwick (Tommy & Abby), Jill & Chris Petter ( Solomon & Gabriel), Jonathon & Emily Ludwick (Cameron & Makayla), Darren Ludwick, Janae & Andy Nusser (Reagan), and Amanda & Joshua Wood (Everly, Eli, & Ezra). Also, surviving are her brother Peter Teitsma and brother-in-law Harold Ilbrink and many beloved nieces and nephews.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, January 31, 2017 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. The family will receive community support on Monday, January 30th, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions can be made to Christian Rest Home Foundation; Westview Christian Reformed Church or Sunlight Church, Lake Worth, Florida. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read Marie’s lifestory, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook online.

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