Luella Mary Frick

Although some set their sights on building a legacy of wealth and possessions to leave behind for their loved ones, Luella Frick focused her attention on establishing a legacy that was deeply rooted in faith and saturated in prayer. Being a wife and mother seemed to be roles that were tailor made just for her, and with a special place in her heart for babies she never tired of nurturing young ones. Luella selflessly cared not only for her own children, but also for additional children who were in need of tender care and love. With unending love for those around her, Luella spread her warmth to numerous others within her reach. The 1920s were a great time to be an American. Innovation fueled numerous advancements that transformed the way we lived our lives, prosperity was the dominant force, and the heartbeat of American culture was alive and well with jazz music, motion pictures in both color and sound, and the peak of Broadway. It was in 1928 that a young couple from Beal City, Michigan, was thrilled to announce the birth of their baby girl on October 22, 1928. Luella was the second of eight children born to her parents, Albert and Cecelia (Wawersik) Simmer, and she was raised in the family home alongside her older brother, Robert, and her younger siblings, Alice, Esther, Patricia, Gladys, Mary Lou, and Bernard. Her father was a crop farmer who also raised some cattle and pigs while her mother worked on the farm and also in the cafeteria at St. Joseph School in Beal City. To earn some extra money Luella and her siblings worked in a pickle patch, and of course they had their own work to complete around the farm as well. She was a student at local schools including Beal City High School where she was on the basketball team. Luella went on to graduate in 1947. Not to be forgotten during her years in high school was Luellas introduction to the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Frank Frick, and they were classmates. A dating relationship ensued, and with a desire to build a life together Luella and Frank were married on May 20, 1950, at St. Philomena Church in Beal City. Together they welcomed seven daughters: Deborah, Connie, Bonnie, Nancy, Luanne, Mary, and Kristena, into their hearts and home. From the moment she became a mother Luella made caring for her girls seem effortless despite living in a two bedroom home with only one bathroom. She lived to care for her family, however, and Luella also took in several foster children and was an integral part of raising children from the Pantenburg, Thering, Block, and Pohl families. With her selfless nature, she always made sure her family vacationed somewhere with water nearby even though she never swam herself. Together the Fricks traveled to Florida and Mammoth Caves in Kentucky, yet Luella and Frank also traveled on their own or with their friends Bob and Betty at times to places such as Rome, Switzerland, Germany, Hawaii, and Alaska. She also visited Paris with her daughter, Luanne. Luellas family appreciated her skills in the kitchen, and it has been said that her sugar cookies were unmatched. Luellas focus was on caring for her family first and foremost, but her life was enriched in additional ways as well. She was devout in her Catholic faith and a member of Sacred Heart Parish where she was involved with the altar society. Prayer was a regular part of her life as well. Prior to having children Luella worked outside of the home at Maxim Dry Cleaners for a few years. She had her own clothes cleaned there, and with a desire to help those in need she donated some of her clothes to people in Germany during the days of WWII. Since she expected nothing in return, imagine Luellas delight when she received a response back from the person who received her clothes. She and the woman became pen pals, and the same woman even invited Luella and Frank to Germany. The tradition expanded through the years as several of her daughters have now visited this family in Germany, and the daughter of the German couple has also come to the states to visit the Fricks. Luella enjoyed traveling other places, too, and she also kept busy volunteering for several elections, playing bingo, painting, and making Santas that reflected the recipient she gave them to. She also liked hummingbirds, butterflies, and flowers. Throughout her life it was being with her loved ones that Luella treasured most. She was overjoyed once grandchildren began arriving, and as someone who enjoyed playing cards she especially liked playing a game called nickel with her grandchildren. In addition to being a devoted wife and one of the sweetest mothers around Luella was also a favorite aunt, babysitter, and friend. Priceless memories were made when the family held a surprise birthday party for Luella and Frank where many old friends and neighbors came to celebrate. There didnt really need to be a specific occasion to celebrate, however, as the Frick family often got together just because. Luella treasured the many photo albums she created that documented her life. Through the life of Luella Frick we are reminded that happiness is not found in what we have, but that it is in the love we share with those around us that we are richly blessed. She never could get enough of babies, and although she loved being a mother Luella just may have argued that being a grandmother was her richest reward. She lived to serve and nurture her husband and children, and covering her loved ones, and even those she did not know, in prayer was simply a part of who she was. Luella will be deeply missed and warmly remembered. Luella Frick of Alma and formerly of Mt. Pleasant died Tuesday, April 30, 2013. Luellas family includes her husband, Frank of Alma; seven daughters, Deborah (Spencer) Cary of Elwell, Connie (Marty) Quillen of Clio, Bonnie (Ken) Gibson of Crestview, FL, Nancy (Mike) Zuker of Beal City, Luanne (Pat) Harte of Portland, Mary (Jamie) Haering of Lansing, and Kristena Frick of Phoenix, AZ; 16 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; siblings, Robert Simmer of Beal City, Alice Paisley of Clare, Esther Straus of DeWitt, Patricia Reihl of Beal City, Gladys (Roy) Parker of Remus, and Bernard (Linda) Simmer of Lansing; and many nieces and nephews. Luella was preceded in death by two sisters, Eileen Simmer and Mary Lou Sheahan; four brothers-in-law, Raymond Chuck Sheahan, Art Straus, Art Paisley and Ray Reihl; and sister-in-law, Helen Simmer. A Funeral Mass for Luella will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Don Henkes presiding and Deacon Larry Fussman assisting. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery with the luncheon to follow at the funeral home. The family will receive friends at Lux Family Life Story Funeral Home on Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with the Vigil at 7:30 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Saturday one hour prior to Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sacred Heart Academy Foundation or to Woodland Hospice. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory.