Obituary
Margaret Bernadette Cicinelli
Margaret Bernadette Cicinelli, 94, of Elk Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2026, at Cordia Assisted Living surrounded by family. She was born on a farm in Saginaw, Michigan, on November 14, 1931, the seventh of 12 children born to parents Lukas “Louis” and Agnes (Masar) Sapak, who immigrated from Slovakia. Margaret enjoyed telling stories about when she was little, picking sugar beets that were almost as big as she was.
Margaret graduated from St. Peter & Paul Catholic High School in 1949. On December 26, 1953, she married Angelo “George” Cicinelli, and they would go on to raise five children together in Saginaw. Margaret took care of the children and their home while George operated his family’s business. When George retired, they moved to the beautiful shores of Torch Lake in the late 90s. George passed away in 2020, and Margaret spent the last three years living at Cordia in Traverse City. Summers were spent at Mullett Lake where she would cook and entertain family and friends. After moving to Torch Lake, she continued gardening. She grew various vegetables, herbs, and raspberries and became known as the green bean queen and the pie lady. She soon discovered fresh cherries and added cherry butter to her list of homemade goodies. The holiday season meant even more time spent making multiple types of pastries, both Slovak and Italian. And boxes of homemade chocolates filled the house. She also liked knitting, playing cards, and making Pysanky Eggs. Margaret is survived by her five children, Deborah Cicinelli-Timm (Kent), Michael Cicinelli (Noelita), Jane Shore (John), Margaret A. Cicinelli, James Cicinelli (Rita); grandchildren, Tony, Joe, Pete (Lauren), Kenzie (Stefan), Karen (Jacob), and Joshua; five great-grandchildren, Cameron, Ryan, Theodora, Maeve, and Noah; two brothers, Robert Sapak (Cathy) and John Sapak; a sister, Dorothy Bowerman (Gene); and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, George; three brothers, William Sapak, Aloysius Sapak (Eleanor), and James Sapak; five sisters, Rose Smith (Eldred), Veronica Karbowski (Wallace), Rita Premo (Merlin), Josephine Karlsen (George), Betty Steinborn (James); and sister-in-law, Edith Sapak. A funeral liturgy with Fr. Steven Gavit presiding will be held on Saturday, March 21 at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, 5376 State St, Saginaw, MI 48603. The family will welcome visitors at 9:30 a.m., a rosary will take place at 9:45 a.m., and mass will begin at 10:30 a.m. Following the service, Margaret will be laid to rest at St. Andrew Cemetery, 381 St. Andrews Rd, Saginaw, MI 48638. Margaret’s family would like to thank all the staff at Cordia and Hospice of MI who took such great care of our mother. We couldn’t have asked for kinder, more compassionate people. We also want to thank the Cordia residents who were so warm and friendly to our mom and watched over her. Please no flowers or plants. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Food for the Poor, 6401 Lyons Road, Coconut Creek, FL 33073; Covenant House, PO Box 758636, Topeka, KS 66675; Hospice of Michigan, 10850E. Traverse Hwy., #3325, Traverse City, MI 49684, or charity of your choice. Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhomes.com Gertrude “Trudy” Dorothy Boettcher
Gertrude “Trudy” Dorothy Boettcher, age 97, of Traverse City, Michigan, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2026, at Bay Ridge Assisted Living.
Trudy was born on June 12, 1928, in Saginaw, Michigan, to the late James and Caroline (Becker) Doyle. On April 10, 1948, she married the love of her life, Edgar Boettcher Jr., at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Saginaw. Together, they lovingly raised four children: Susan, Donna, Edgar III, and Mary Jo. Trudy continued her education at Central Michigan University, earning her degree in education and graduating in 1959. She spent many years teaching in the Saginaw area, where her love for children and dedication to learning made her a truly wonderful and memorable teacher. In her spare time, Trudy enjoyed crocheting and gardening and was especially proud of her indoor plants. Her green thumb was legendary, earning her the affectionate nickname “the plant lady” at Bay Ridge. Above all else, Trudy cherished her family. She never missed a chance to attend her grandchildren’s sporting events, recitals, or any activity they were involved in. She was always there, cheering them on and loving them. Trudy had a gift for conversation and could strike one up with anyone. She had no filter, and you always knew exactly where you stood with her. She also had a lifelong love of dessert, often enjoying it first. One of her favorite treats was a banana split with butter pecan ice cream at Moomers. No matter the meal, she always made sure there was room for dessert. Trudy is survived by her children: Susan (Steve) Fournier, Donna (Marty) Masker, Edgar III (Jan) Boettcher, and Mary Jo (Kurt) Schrank; her grandchildren: Chad (Rachel) Fournier, Kimberly (Whit) Magro, Edgar IV (Kristi) Boettcher, Bryan Boettcher, Kathryn (Andy) Baumann, Maxwell Schrank, and Derek Schrank; and her great-grandchildren: Ella, Isabel, Eli, Mya, Edgar V., Sydney, Arden, Adelaide, and Willow. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Edgar, in 2008, and by her siblings, Leo, Lynne, Carolyn, and Anne. A Funeral Mass in her honor will be held at a 11a.m. at the St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire on March 16, 2026, with a luncheon to follow. Memorial contributions may be directed to Hospice of Michigan. |
Etta Lorraine Gribi
Etta Lorraine Gribi, of Elk Rapids, Michigan, age 99, passed away February 22, 2026, at Orchard Creek Assisted Living in Traverse City. She was surrounded by her family the entire day prior and died in her sleep the following morning.
Etta was born in Rapid City, Michigan, on October 3, 1926, to Clyde L. Packer and Eva (Pitman) Packer. She was the youngest of nine siblings, consisting of three brothers and five sisters. Etta graduated from high school in Rapid City in 1944. When WWII ended, she met and married Richard Ivan Gribi, of Kewadin, Michigan, on May 31, 1947. They settled on the Gribi family fruit farm on Cairn Highway. There they raised their three sons, Roger (Nancy) Gribi of Kewadin, Kevin (Kim) Gribi of Williamsburg, and Brad Gribi of Rapid City. In addition to transporting and supporting her sons in their many athletic and academic pursuits, Etta also provided care to her father, who also lived on the farm, while helping to manage the farm’s fruit harvests. Her life was very busy and full. Once her sons graduated, and the farm’s fruit harvest was sub-contracted out, Etta was employed by the Elk Rapids School District. She first worked as a teacher’s aide, and then as an assistant librarian until her retirement in the late 1980s. Etta was a longtime member of the Kewadin Methodist Church, until the age of 89, when she was hit by another car, which ended her ability to drive. In addition to her three living children, Etta is survived by six grandchildren, Ali Gribi, Garrett Gribi, Mitchell Gribi, Tim Skolnik, Lindsay Mason, and Melissa West, and eight great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Richard in November of 2007, and by all of her siblings. As she aged, Etta’s body became weak and frail. However, the one thing that NEVER aged was her mind. She had a remarkable memory, on par with someone many decades younger. Etta was happiest when she was surrounded by family and friends. Until her very last days, she loved following the Tigers, the Lions, and University of Michigan basketball and football. Etta wished every day for the last 18 years that the love of her life, Richard, was still beside her. At her request, there will be no visitation or funeral service. The family will be planning a celebration of life event for August of this year. |