Ernamarie Messenger

Ernamarie Messenger 94, passed away peacefully in her sleep on February 6, 2022.

Ernamarie was born in Detroit on November 24, 1927 to the late Ernestine and Theodore

Walling, who were immigrants from Regensburg, Germany. The second of four siblings,

Ernamarie spent her early childhood in Detroit. When she was ten, her father was desperate

for work and moved the family back near family in Munich, Germany. During the war,

Ernamarie courageously helped the family survive by obtaining food and then remaining alone

in their apartment so she could attend school even though her siblings were evacuated from

Munich. After the war, at age 18, she returned alone to Michigan where she lived with an aunt

and uncle while working as a secretary at the Detroit Free Press, earning money to bring her

parents and siblings back to the United States.

She married Dr. Andrew Leonard Messenger in 1948. The couple lived in Portland, Michigan

and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before settling in Lansing where they raised five children. She

divorced in 1970 and pursued a career in real estate. Ernamarie was committed to her large

family, as a loving and dedicated daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and great

grandmother. She had a fun-loving zest for life and deep compassion for the suffering of

others, which helped her create many devoted friendships. She had a good sense of humor and

an easy laugh. She loved a good time; she traveled and cruised the world with friends, listened

to and sang classical music, played tennis, golf and bridge.

Ernamarie is survived by her five children: Dr. Andrew W. Messenger (Vicki) of St. Johns;

Charmine Rone (Clifford) of Portland, OR; Dr. Greg Messenger (Traci) of East Lansing; Dr. Jeff

Messenger (Mardelle) of Perry; Ernamarie “Ernie” McBride of Cary, NC. She is also survived by

18 grandchildren scattered across the country; 11 great grandchildren, and her sister Marilyn

Eller.

A memorial celebration of Ernamarie’s life will be held on Sunday, February 20, 2022 at 2:00

p.m. at The People’s Church in East Lansing. You may attend in person or stream the service

electronically; check The People’s Church website for information. The family requests that you

make donations to McLaren Hospice or the American Heart Association in lieu of sending

flowers.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.greastlansing.com for the Messenger family.