Evelyn Marie Gensler

Maple City - Evelyn Marie Gensler, 91, of Maple City passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 18, 2018 at the home of her daughter. Evelyn was born on October 22, 1926 to George and Erda (Patton) Czarnecki in Ida, MI. She married Robert Gene Gensler, who preceded her in death. Evelyn, born to a farmer, was no stranger to hard work. She started working at the age of 14 as a live in maid and cook for Dr. and Mrs. Howe. She had wonderful stories of moving to Northern MI in the summer of 1970 with her husband and 10 children. While building their home Evelyn cooked all their meals, including canning food and making jelly for the winter over an outdoor fire. She also worked at Sara Lee, Sleder’s Tavern, and Schmuckal Oil Company. Evelyn’s greatest love was her children, but she also enjoyed gardening, baking, cooking, canning, feeding and watching the birds, fishing, and baseball. Evelyn is survived by her children Susan (Barry) Schweikart of Maple City, MI, Peter Sharp of Pontiac, MI, Michael (Karen) Sharp of Toledo, OH, Steven (Rose) Gensler of Hagerstown, MD, Amy Caldwell, Timothy (Lyn) Gensler, Dustan (Marcia) Gensler, Eric (Angela) Gensler and Kerry Gensler, all of Traverse City, 28 grandchildren, and 40 great grandchildren, She was preceded in death by her husband Robert; a son, Robin Sharp, grandchildren Cassandra Sharp and Christopher and Lindsey Caldwell, her parents, a brother Lester Czarnecki, sisters, Geraldine Neville and Marilyn Czarnecki, and daughter in law Dorothy Gensler. Evelyn has direct bloodline of 71 descendants, however she was mom and grandma to hundreds of others whose lives she had touched. Visitation for friends and family will be held from 10 AM until 11 AM Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at The Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home. The service celebrating Evelyn's life will begin at 11 a.m. Pastor Mark Belanger, Chaplain of Munson Hospice will officiate. Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice, c/o Munson Healthcare Regional Foundation, 1150 Medical Campus Dr., Traverse City, MI 49684. Please share your favorite memories of Evelyn with her family by way of her online guest book at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.

Evelyn Marie Gensler

October 22, 1926 - July 18, 2018