Johanne Maria Schaefer

Our loving mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Johanne Maria Schaefer (Hanna, Hannemie, or Omi) passed away on October 26, 2021, at her home with family. Hanna was born on December 20, 1928, in Halle, Germany to Bruno and Elisabeth Reinicke. In July, 1951 Hanna immigrated to America. Soon after Claus, whom she had met once in Germany, also immigrated to America. They reunited at the home of some mutual friends and began corresponding—before long they were engaged and married on May 25, 1952. Two years later they moved to Redford Township where they raised their four children Hans, Bernard, Heide, and Mark.

Hanna was known for her tireless energy. She threw neighborhood parties with Claus, loved her local pinochle club, actively supported the Detroit Symphony and Michigan Opera Theater, organized Girl Scout cookie drives, and delighted in the friendships she made in the Redford Township Unicycle Club. Hanna was a longtime Member and Chair of the Redford Township Sister-City Commission reflecting her deep commitment to promoting the exchange of students between the Township and its Sister Cities. Perhaps her longest standing commitment was to Grace Lutheran Church, of which she was a member for nearly 70 years, and her much loved Timothy Circle.

Hanna was a wonderful mother with a huge heart, placing the needs of others before her own. She stayed in touch with nearly everyone she met and maintained a “social network” to rival anything in the digital era. She loved adventure, swimming in every body of water she saw, and spending time in her cottage on Little Long Lake. Hanna stayed in her home on Fox Street for the remainder of her life. She enjoyed the companionship of her cats, running an orderly and efficient household, cooking and baking family favorite German recipes (rouladen, gooseberry pie, and stollen!), and tending to her flower gardens, which gave her so much joy. Family was everything to her and especially the weddings, arrival of great grandchildren, and Christmas reunions which helped keep her going till the age of 92.

Hanna is survived by her loving family: son, Hans (Sue) Schaefer of Livonia, son Bernard (Kimberly) Schaefer of Grand Rapids, daughter Heide (Dennis) Larsen of Idaho Falls, ID, son Mark (Beth Weinberger) Schaefer of Branford CT; and eleven grandchildren, Eric (Audi) Schaefer of Denver CO, Kristen (Patrick) Stimson of Denver, CO, Rachel Popour of Livonia, Grace Schaefer of Livonia, Gwen Schaefer of Grand Rapids, Bernard (Martice) Schaefer of Grand Rapids, Christopher Simmons of Grand Rapids, Hailey (Jesse) Caudle of Seattle, WA, Taylor (Dan) Oekerman of Murray, KY, Simon Schaefer and Kira Schaefer of Branford, CT, and three great grandchildren, Donovan Thames, Calvin Schaefer, and Laila Schaefer. She was preceded in death by her husband Claus Schaefer, her parents and two brothers.

Visitation for Hanna will be held on October 29 from 4 to 8pm with stories and sharing of memories by friends and family at 7pm at Harry J Will Funeral Home, 25450 Plymouth Rd, Redford; funeral services will be held on October 30 at 10:00 a.m. Grace Lutheran Church, 25630 Grand River Avenue, Redford. Hanna will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Claus, immediately after the service at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens, 43300 W 12 Mile Rd, Novi, MI. All are welcome to join the family for a fellowship luncheon after the interment (12:30 to 2:30) at Mama Mia’s, 19385 Beech Daly Road, Redford, MI.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Redford Township Sister-City Commission or Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern MI.