Born in Warren Twp, Michigan to the late Clement and Ella Groesbeck, Ethel stayed devoted in both her faith and family her entire life. Ethel graduated St. Clement Catholic school and was a member of the choir, where she met husband Henry. She was a founding member of St. Sylvester Catholic Church. Deeply grounded in her Catholic faith, Ethel taught religious education for over 30 years. She was especially good at it because of how close she was with her relationship with the Lord, but also had a great love and natural talent for caring for children. Even in her last days the family would say that Ethel could sense when there was a child in the room and her face would light up. She was grateful for the family her and her husband were able to build together through the years. Some of the happiest memories of Ethel were of family reunions and cooking traditional German food she learned from Henry’s family for holiday gatherings. Later in life, sweet memories included time spent with her grandchildren playing cards or watching them run around in their yard. When they retired, Henry and Ethel were able to take trips to visit friends and relatives in other states and countries plus trips to Hawaii, and Alaska. Ethel had a kind, selfless heart, and never had an unkind word to say her entire life. A loving wife, mom, grandma, great-grandma, sister, aunt, and friend, Ethel will be missed dearly by all who survive her.
Beloved wife of the late Henry for 48 years. Loving mom of Joseph (Corrine) Birko, Elaine (the late Sam) Curcuru, John (Suzanne) Birko, Marianne (James) Birko-White, Rosemary (David) Renke, Annette Birko, Jim (Sandy) Birko, and the late Susan (Richard) Witt. Dear Oma to Eric (Nikki) Birko, Matthew (Ashley) Birko, Andrea (Mike) Pytel, Orsola (Emily) Curcuru, Fil Curcuru, Stephanie (Chad) Haferbier, Alex Birko, Jay (Stephanie) Birko, Isabella White, Cecilia White, Claudia (Joel) Thomas, Katlyn (Katie) Witt, Chris (Kelsey) Witt, Kurtis Witt, Sara (Dan) Blaska, Christine (Brian) Weber, Carolyn (Jack) Sauber, Emily (Jared) Renke, Dan (Kayla) Birko, Ryan (Cassie) Birko, and Zachary Birko. Cherished “Oma Oma” to Grace, Alissa, Liam, Juniper, Elizabeth, Harper, Avery, Henry, Howe, Homer, Fiona, the late Allen, Nora, Levi, Luke, Ella, Tyler, Margot, Remy, Jack, and Riley. Caring sister of Donald (the late Marlene) Groesbeck, Dorothy (the late Ben) Moon, the late Shirley (the late Leo) Kraemer, the late Robert Groesbeck, loving sister-in-law of Lori (the late Robert) Gietzen, the late Remi (the late Betty) Birko and many nieces and nephews. Also survived by her friend and loving caregiver Lynn White.
Visitation Sunday, April 28th from 1pm until 8pm with a 7pm Scripture Service at D.S. Temrowski Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Rd, Warren, MI 48093. Ethel will lie instate on Monday, April 29th at 11:00 am until time of Funeral Mass at 11:30am at St Martin de Porres Catholic Church, 31555 Hoover RD, Warren, MI 48093. Private burial to take place at St. Clement Cemetery in Center Line.
Memorial donations to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284.
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