Alfred Ernst Schikorra

Early morning of July 1st, 2024, Alfred Schikorra departed this earth to meet his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Al was born October 16th, 1931 to parents Ida Kluge and Frederick Schikorra in Lansing, Michigan. Al graduated from Lansing Technical High School in 1949 where he participated in varsity golf and basketball. In August of 1950, Al began a four-year indentured apprenticeship specializing in die making with the Oldsmobile division of General Motors in Lansing, Michigan. His starting wage was $1.05 per hour. Al served three years as a reservist in the Army National Guard of Michigan and was honorably discharged in February of 1959 as a Sargent First Class. Al married the love of his life, Mary Veronica Coe, in October of 1957. They had met while both working for Oldsmobile in Lansing, Michigan. Mary was working as one of the plant nurses and treated several injuries Al had sustained in the course of his employment. Over the next 38 years, he rose the ranks at Oldsmobile, holding various supervisory and managerial positions within the tool and die department until his retirement at age 55. Six months after his retirement, Al was asked to return and join a team of formerly retired tool and diemakers to support the launch of General Motor’s Saturn Corporation in Springhill, TN. After the Saturn project concluded, he participated in General Motor’s consolidation of all tool and die operations in Lordstown, OH. As Mary’s health begin to fail, Al finally retired from all things tool and die to begin his most important assignment as her caregiver until her death in 2005. Al was a steadfast Christian, member of University Lutheran Church, and longtime resident of Okemos, Michigan. He was an accomplished golfer and had won tournaments at both Groesbeck Golf Course and Pine Lake Country Club. Al enjoyed gardening, watching athletic events, and vacationing on South Hutchinson Island in Florida. His family was his life’s joy. He was a very humble, patient, kind, and honest man.

He is survived by his son, Robert (Paula) Schikorra; nephew/son, James (Joe) Archer; daughter, Jennifer (fiancé Richard Peterson) Parmenter; grandchildren, William and Samuel Schikorra, Megan and Michael Parmenter; sister, Inga Cressor; sister-in-law, Nancy Schikorra; and nephew, Mark Schikorra. He was predeceased by his wife, Mary; parents, Frederick and Ida; brother, Garrett Schikorra; brother-in-law, Robert Cressor; and nephew, Fred Schikorra.

Friends and family will gather on Sunday, July 7th from 1 to 5 pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home (1730 E. Grand River Ave, East Lansing, MI) to share memories and condolences. Final visitation will be held on Monday, July 8th at University Lutheran Church (1020 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI) starting at 10 am, followed by his funeral service at 11 am. A burial service will then take place at East Lawn Memory Gardens (2400 Bennett Rd., Okemos, MI).

The family is asking any donations in Al’s memory be directed to University Lutheran Church (1020 S. Harrison Rd., East Lansing, MI 48823) or Henry Ford Hospice Home (2150 Kingsbrooke Drive, Jackson, MI 49202).

A note of special thanks from Al’s family to the staff of “Angels” at Henry Ford Hospice Home who provided comfort and care to our father during his final days of life. You are a special group of people and made Al feel as if he were still in his own home.