Obituary: Donald Albrecht, 87, Ludington.

Don Albrecht Sr.

Obituary: Donald Albrecht, 87, Ludington.

Donald Lee Albrecht, Sr., 87, of Ludington, passed away peacefully on October 28, 2018.

Don was born on January 9, 1931, son of the late Joseph and Jule (Bice) Albrecht.  He attended and graduated from Ludington Schools. He also served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1950-53 and achieved the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Don was married on February 20, 1960 to Helen Lou McGrane in Ludington.  Together they built, owned, and operated Albrecht’s Marina on the Buttersville Peninsula where they hosted many parties and developed life-long friendships.  Don spent most of his early career working as a heavy equipment operator with Towns Construction and Layman Asphalt. He worked on a number of large projects including widening of the Ludington channel, paving the Ludington Pump Storage project, and construction of Tamarac Village.  While Towns Construction was closed in the winter, Don ran a Christmas tree yard in Chicago for many years. His gift for storytelling and interacting with people served him well when, later in his career, he worked in sales for Ludington Beverage and owned and operated East Hart Groceries.  After retirement, he volunteered at Ludington Memorial Hospital and was a member of the early morning coffee clutch.

He was a long-standing member of St. Simon Catholic Church in Ludington and was a member of the Elks Club, the American Legion, and a life-time member of the Ludington Eagles.

Don is survived by his children, Clifford and Russelle (Schwass) Albrecht of Ludington, Raymond and Debbie (Howe) Albrecht of Mt. Pleasant, Michael and Mary (Stream) Albrecht of Jenison, Diane (Albrecht) Cameron of Ludington, Donald Jr. and Mary (Sniegowski) Albrecht of Ludington; 12 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; his brother Edward Albrecht of Wilmington, S.C., and sisters Jean Comstock and Nancy Rodriguez of Ludington, several nieces and nephews and many other family members and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Helen in 2015, and brother Robert Albrecht.

A Mass from the Order of Christian Funerals will be held on Friday, November 2, 2018 at 10 a.m. at St. Simon Catholic Church with The Rev. Wayne B. Wheeler, Jr. presiding.  Visitation will begin at 9:30 a.m. at the church.  Memorial contributions may be made to the church.

Please share your fond memories and photos of Don at www.OakGroveLudington.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington.