Louisa Ann Eicher (Gehman) died on February 2, 2023, at 9:40 pm at Ascensions St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas Michigan after a short illness.
Louisa was born on March 16, 1947, in Port Trevorton Pennsylvania to John and Anna Mae Gehman. She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Larry Gene Eicher of Au Gres Michigan; her eldest son, John Joseph Eicher (Theresa) of Mooresville Indiana, and her youngest son, Steven Allen Eicher (Sharon) of Holland MIchigan. Louisa had six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Louisa was the eldest of seven children, Sharon Graybill (Carl dec.), Larry Gehman (Twila), John Wayne Gehman (Susan), Pauline Gehman, MaryAlice Lauver (Tim), and Ida Mae Gehman.
At the age of 17 her family spent a winter in Florida where her father worked construction. That next year Louisa returned to Tallahassee, Florida to study nursing and became a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1966. These years in Florida were pivotal years in her life as she matured in her Christian faith, serving her patients with her kindness and love. In July of 1967 Louisa moved to El Dorado, Arkansas to work at the Hudson Memorial Nursing home where she met the love of her life Larry. On December 14,1968, Larry and Louisa were married in Richfield, PA and moved to Woodburn Indiana later that year. In 1973 Larry and Louisa moved to AuGres Michigan where she lived till the time of her death. Louisa was a longtime member at Riverside Mennonite Church where she served in many capacities over the years as a youth leader, member of the hospitality committee, relief sale committee and was the church librarian for 15 years.
Louisa worked for several years as a LPN at both The Standish Hospital in Standish and St. Joseph Hospital in Tawas Michigan. In 1988 Louisa realized a lifelong dream of going to college. She graduated with honors with a degree as a registered nurse and worked for 10 years as a critical care nurse at Bay Medical Center in Bay City Michigan. During her many years of nursing she touched the lives of thousands of patients and patients’ families. Although Louisa had to give up her nursing career later in life, she never ceased in her caregiving spirit. One of her greatest joys in her final years was making cards for family, friends and anyone she knew who needed care and encouragement. Whether it was a card or a bouquet of virtual flowers she sought out anyone who needed a gentle reminder of God’s love for them. Her deep faith in Jesus was the driving force behind her loving, gentle spirit and her life’s mission to care for others.
Louisa was a lifelong lover of reading. From an early age she would read anything she could get her hands on. Later in life she volunteered at AuGres-Sims public schools reading to elementary students in their classrooms. As adults, these students would remember her coming into their classroom and often shared how much it meant to them that she took time to read to them. Even in her final days she enjoyed reading aloud to her dear friends at the Iosco County Medical Care Facility where she resided.
There will be a time of visitation for Louisa at the Riverside Mennonite Church in Au Gres, Michigan from 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM on Saturday, February 11, 2023. A funeral mass will follow that and begin at 11:00 AM. You may offer online condolences at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com
