BADENDIECK, Laurna  Age 87 of Flat Rock

Laurna Lucille (Kalitta) Badendieck passed away on November 3, 2023.  She is survived by her daughter Claudia (Badendieck) Simons, son-in-law Mike Simons, daughter-in-law Marian Green, brother Jim Kalitta, nieces Cheryl Sievers and Stephanie Kalitta Finney, several Kalitta, Gross and Noffze cousins, and her feline loves, Furbee and Meo.

Although completely devoted to her family and life in Michigan, Laurna's heart apparently tired of working, ready instead to be reunited with husband Juergen and son Michael, who preceded her in death in 2020 and 2010.

Laurna was born on August 2, 1936, in Rogers City, Michigan, to Caroline (Gross) and Alfred Kalitta.  Her early years were spent in Detroit and East Detroit.  She attended Eastern Michigan University where she earned her Secondary Teaching certificate, a B.A. in education and later, an M.A. in Drama Theatre for the Young.  She also attended Concordia College in Ann Arbor where she received her Lutheran Teachers Diploma.

Laurna taught for a number of years in various Lutheran Schools in the suburbs of Detroit.  She met Juergen while boating on a lake in Hell, Michigan in 1958.  Laurna and Juergen were married in 1961 and took up residence in Plymouth, Michigan where they raised their children, Claudia and Michael.

Laurna was the Director of Stephen Ministry at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor.  She was an active member of the Plymouth Branch of AAUW and later, of the Twin Rivers Branch in New Bern.

Laurna and Juergen bought a house in New Bern, North Carolina in 1993, and sailed their boat Athene down from Michigan in 1994.  Laurna became active at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, serving many roles on the council and various committees.  She was the motivating worker on the design and execution of the needlepoint kneeling cushions, many of which were stitched by Laurna herself.  She was a Leader of Stephen Ministry at St. Andrew, taught classes, and motivated others to become involved.

In 2020, Laurna purchased a RV ("The Lark"), and has enjoyed many camping trips since.  She moved back to Michigan in 2021, where she joined Faith Lutheran Church in Brownstown.  She delighted in doing many crafts, especially sewing, and put much heart into making custom memory quilts for friends and family.  She has also loved singing with the Seaway Chorale in Trenton, and took pride in putting her theatre background to good use while participating on the Production Committee.

Laurna's memorial service will be held at Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, 9800 Telegraph Road, in Taylor, Michigan, at noon on Monday, November 20, 2023, with a luncheon to follow.

Donations in Laurna's memory may be made to Seaway Chorale or the Michigan Parkinson's Foundation.