Lois Alpers

July 17, 2011

TRAVERSE CITY — Lois T. Alpers, 86, our loving and kind mother, passed away Sunday evening, July 17, 2011, surrounded by her family at the Grand Traverse Pavilions, after being there a year under the loving care of the Pavilions staff. It was a true honor to have a mother like ours.A life-long resident of Traverse City, Lois was born here on Saturday, Jan. 31, 1925, to the late Fred and Irene (Platte) Brakel. Following her high school education, Lois attended County Normal and went on to teach at Kingsley (walking in the snow, no less), Bartlette, Hannah and Buckley. On Saturday, Aug.12, 1950, in Traverse City, Lois married John J. Alpers. Their loving relationship spanned nearly 46 years before John's death on April 23, 1996. She cared for him tirelessly at home before he died. Lois had a heart for helping others, caring for other family members who needed her care over the years. She carried that gift even further, caring for patients at Munson Medical Center, where she was employed for 25 years.Her favorite pastime was cooking and having company at her home on the lake. She truly enjoyed her family and was a loving mother and caretaker. She had an open heart for everyone, with the capacity for giving like no one else. She had a special place in her heart for those struggling with disabilities and alcoholism. A woman of strong faith, and a member of St. Patrick Catholic Church, Lois prayed to St. Jude endlessly for special intentions for all of her family.Her children, spouses and grandchildren will truly miss her. Left to cherish her memory are her children, Jerome (Luann) Alpers, of Bellaire, Irene (Tom) Sheren, of Traverse City, Mary T. Alpers, of Las Vegas, James (Caron) Alpers, of Interlochen, Alvin (friend, Diana) Alpers, of Kalamazoo, Robert (Wendy) Alpers, of Traverse City, John (Sonia) Alpers, of Rudyard; and her precious grandchildren, Tom J. (Becky) Sheren, Neva (Joel) Alpers-Kelso, Zachery John Alpers, Tim R. Sheren, Rosemary I. (Keith) Guimond, John H. Alpers, Shanna Alpers, Joseph Alpers, James Alpers, Alyssa Alpers, Nina Alpers and her great granddaughter, Ava Rose Guimond. Also surviving are her siblings, Esther (Frank) Hall and Rita Bellaw, all of Traverse City. Lois loved all of her extended family and had many special nieces and nephews.Lois was preceded in death by her parents; as well as her siblings. Noreen, Erwin, Alec and Raymond; and many sisters- and brothers-in-law.Visitation for family and friends will take place this evening, July 20, from 5 until 8 p.m. at Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The rosary will be prayed at 7 p.m., led by Deacon Matt Lyberg.The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 21, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. The Rev. Fr. Gerald Micketti will preside. Burial will be in Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.The family has asked that Lois be remembered through memorial contributions to The Father Fred Foundation or Hospice of Michigan.Please share your condolences as well as your favorite memories of Lois by way of her online guestbook at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home is serving the family.