Adeline Rademacher

There are many things on which we can focus our time and attention, and quite often achieving things such as fame, fortune, and stature seem to top the list. Nothing could have been farther from the truth, however, when it came to Adeline Rademacher. She was a gracious, kindhearted, and tender woman who never worried about the things of this world, but made her faith the central component in her life. As a humble servant of the Lord she loved, Adeline saw caring for her family as her greatest mission in life second only to the time she spent deepening her faith each day. With a rich and rewarding life filled to overflowing with blessings, Adeline was content in whatever life brought her, embracing both the joys and the sorrows. Through the love she so willingly gave, Adeline impacted the lives of so many others in a positive way.

The decade that became known as the “Roaring Twenties” was a vibrant one peppered with noteworthy events that forever shaped our great nation. We were going places in 1927 as Charles Lindbergh flew his Spirit of St. Louis across the Atlantic and since the more affordable Model A became available for under 500 dollars, people were getting where they needed to go with greater ease than ever before. This was the year that saw the end of the silent film era, songs such as “Ain’t She Sweet, and construction begin on Mount Rushmore. There was much to celebrate during this year for one young family in Fowler, Michigan, since it was on December 15th that they welcomed the healthy birth of a baby girl.

Adeline was the third of nine children in her family and was welcomed into the world by her adoring parents, John and Eleanor (Thelen) Goerge. Adeline’s father provided for his family as a farmer while her mother came alongside her husband as a typical farmer’s wife who especially loved her chickens. It was during her formative years that the Catholic faith that became Adeline’s constant companion was engraved upon her heart. She attended Most Holy Trinity Catholic School in Fowler where she aced her classes and particularly excelled in math. As she started her ninth grade year at Fowler High School, Adeline’s mother gave birth to twins so Adeline left school in order to help out at home.

Life was forever changed for Adeline when she met a young serviceman who had just returned from serving in the South Pacific. His name was William Rademacher and although he was 11 years her senior, they couldn’t help but be smitten with one another. After dating for a time, the couple found themselves deeply in love and became husband and wife on May 21, 1947, when Adeline was just 19 years old. The newlyweds moved to Alma where Bill owned a service station. Eventually, Adeline and Bill returned to Fowler where they raised their family that grew to include one daughter, Rosemary, and six sons: John, Thomas, Clement, Gery, Daniel, and William.

Raising their bustling brood in the home they built was a team effort for Adeline and Bill. He worked at GM while she was the primary caretaker for the children and also made wedding cakes for everyone in the area. Together Adeline and Bill provided their children with an outstanding display of what a marriage is truly intended to be. No matter what was going on around them, they always kissed before Bill left for work and then shared a kiss again when he returned. Fun-filled memories were made together on frequent trips to Florida and Mexico. When her children later left home and established families of their own, Adeline couldn’t have been happier. Her family tree grew to include 22 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren who were her greatest pride and joy.

After Bill retired, Adeline took her cake decorating skills to Goff Grocery Store where she worked as a cake decorator for many years. She also had more time to pursue a few of her other interests. Plants were her true passion as she delighted in watching things grow. Adeline also loved to crochet and sew, and she never missed an episode of “The Price Is Right.”

The faith Adeline embraced as a young girl remained a cornerstone in her life throughout her entire journey. She was a member of Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, the Christian Mothers Association, and Daughters of Isabella. Adeline faithfully attended Mass each day as long as her health allowed, and it was her faith that sustained her during the days, weeks, and months following Bill’s death on January 16, 1999. She also began traveling to India after his death she had grown to cherish relationships she had established with Indian priest who were here in the state. They all affectionately called her “Mum.”

In everything she did, Adeline Rademacher brought such beauty to the world around her. She lived life to the fullest each day and was so thankful for every blessing in her life. A loving and nurturing mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Adeline would have been so delighted to see her grandson’s hard work come to fruition when he becomes a doctor one day, but unfortunately this was not to be while she was still living. She will remain a constant presence in the lives of those who loved her, however, as the precious memories they created together will never fade.

Adeline D. Rademacher died on February 14, 2011. Adeline’s family includes her daughter, Rosemary (Neil) Feldpausch of Fowler; six sons, John of Dewitt, Thomas of Fowler, Clement (Jeannie) of Clio, Gery (Nancy) of Fowler, Daniel (Linda) of St. Johns, and William of AZ; 22 grandchildren; 36 great grandchildren; two sisters, Arlene (Ray) Griffin of Ovid, Janet Martin of Pewamo; four brothers, Reynold Goerge, Donald (Doris) Goerge and Gene (Agnes) Goerge all of Fowler, and Henry (Marcia) Goerge of St. Johns and many nieces and nephews. Adeline was preceded in death by her husband, two brothers, Robert and Anthony Goerge, and infant brother and sister. Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, February 17, 2011, at Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church, burial at Holy Trinity Cemetery with Rev. Fr. Dennis Howard presiding. The family will receive friends Wednesday, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the Goerge Chapel of Osgood Funeral Homes, Fowler, with rosaries being prayed at 3 and 8 p.m. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo, sign the online guestbook, or make a memorial contribution to a charity of her family’s choice.