Frances Ruth Engelhardt

Frances Ruth Engelhardt of Kilmanagh, age 81, went home to her Lord on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at her home, surrounded by her family. Frances was born on January 28, 1944, to the late Willard and Ruth (Nitz) Hornbacher in Bad Axe. She married Orin Engelhardt in Detroit at Emmaus Lutheran Church by Rev. Carl Nietzke on January 3, 1971.

She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kilmanagh. Frances attended St. John’s Lutheran School and graduated from Sebewaing High School in 1962. She was a homemaker and helped her husband on the farm raising dairy cattle and hogs. They raised and trained harness horses, which they raced at the fairs and at Detroit racetracks. Frances loved the races and watching Detroit Lions Football. Beyond the farm, she loved helping raise her grandchildren.

Frances was preceded in death by her husband, Orin, on February 2, 2023, and great-nephew, Dawson Kuhl. She is survived by her children, Larry (Eva) Engelhardt, Kristine (Rob) Marker, and Susan (Lonnie) Irion; grandchildren, Samantha (Matt) Peaphon, Jacob (Yusu) Engelhardt, Alex Engelhardt, Aaron Marker, Eric (Kathryn) Marker, Amy Marker, Emma Irion, and Leah Irion; great-grandchildren, Ava, Logan, and Theodora. Frances will be missed by many of her family and friends, cousins, nephews, nieces, but most especially by her sister, Mary Ann LaCourse-Gorgol; niece, Anissa Kuhl; great-nephew, Treston Kuhl

Frances’ funeral will be on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Kilmanagh. Rev. Thom Garrison will officiate, and the burial will be held privately at the church cemetery. The family will be present to receive visitors on Wednesday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of her service. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the wishes of the family, c/o Susan Irion, which they will use for a donation to a local children’s organization.