Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Cederwall, Shirley Louise (LaPratt) April 1, 2019
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Pat Currigan currigan1932@comcast.net August 11, 2020, 7:21 pm

Ionia Sentinel Standard-Wed. April 3, 2019

Shirley Louise (LaPratt) Cederwall July 6, 1930-April 1, 2019.

Our mother was born in Lansing, Michigan on July 6, 1930, to Fred J. LaPratt 
and Gladys A (Ingersoll) LaPratt. She was an only child for the first 13 
years of her life until the family was made completer with her brother Roger.

She had an ideal childhood with parents devoted to her and she to them. At an 
early age she learned to have a keen eye with a bat and ball and a good 
throwing arm. She developed a passion for sports through her father. Mom went 
on to graduate from Sexton High School in 1948. She was voted the female 
athlete of her class. She carried on her love for softball through league 
play in Ionia.

In 1950, while attending, Michigan State college of Agriculture and Applied 
Science, (Michigan State university). Mom met out father Frank at the campus 
dance. They were married on December 15, 1951. She went on to receive her BA 
in Elementary Education, graduating with honors in 1952. Seventeen years 
later, in 1969 she earned her Master's Degree at what in now Michigan State 
University.

Between 1953 and 1957, mom had Sheryl in 1953, Gregg in 1954, and Eric (Rick) 
in 1957. The family had moved to Ionia in 1958. By the early sixtie's Mom had 
begun her career as an elementary school teacher, beginning at Emerson 
elementary school and finishing at Boyce Elementary School. Over the years, 
we have been blessed to hear from men and women that say, "Mrs. Cederwall is 
your Mother? She was my favorite teacher." Mom tended to be the last teacher 
to leave her classroom at the end of each school day. She loved teaching.

In the late 1980's mom followed dad into retirement. They then continued to 
travel through out the United States. They had always loved taking the family 
on camping trips, especially in Michigan and Canada. Once we were gone, they 
continued with their love of traveling.

Mom loved long physical walks and working out in the gym. She loved her 
family and spent a lot of her time in retirement investing into her 
grandchildren, Amy and Kevin. She was a tried and True MSU team supporter. 
Anybody privileged to be a part of mom's life knew that her greatest passion 
was her relationship with God. This relationship with Jesus christ began in 
earnest when she was 38 years old. Mom was transfored by this relationship. 
Her gentle, wise and loving spirit, became a blessing to countless. She 
taught Bible studies in homes, Sunday school at church even spoke a few times 
from the pulpit. She was a gifted counselor. Mom and dad opened their home to 
many young adults that needed healing and direction. Their home was truly a 
house of hospitality. She was always ready to love in word and deed.

After almost three years of a struggle that never broke her spirit, mom 
passed away in the early morning hours of April 1, 2019. She has left a very 
special legacy behind. Just ask anyone that truly knew her. 

Shirley leaves behind a daughter, Sheryl (Greg) Dennison; son, Eric 
Cederwall, granddaughter, Amy (Mike) Stump, grandson,Kevin; great grandsons, 
Camden and Hudson; step-grandchildren, Amber (Jason), Nicholas (Hanan), 
Christopher (Shelly), Brardon (Julie) and their children; brother, Roger 
(Holly) LaPratt; nephews, Brad, Adam, and Marcus (Sylvia) La Pratt, and their 
children; Niece, Lora (Josh) Goodrich and nephew, Marc (Ellen) Cederwall.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years Frank, her son Gregg, 
her parents and many aunts and uncles.

We love you, Mom, and we look forward to our reunion with you.

Funeral services will be 11:30 Friday, April 5, 2019, at Lake Funeral Home in 
Ionia. Visitation will be Thursday 6-8 p.m. and a half hour prior to the 
service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Shirley's 
name to Great Lakes Caring Hospice or Smile Train.

Online Condolences may be made at lakefuneralhomes.com

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