LORETTA MAY UDELL

Loretta was born May 20, 1926, in Painsville, Ohio, to Waldmar and Edna (Maine) Mikowetz. On May 25, 1946, she married her love Clarence Udell. The two of them were blessed to have shared time together for 33 years until Clarence’s passing on Dec. 12, 1979. Loretta was a woman of strong character, who was always willing to help in any way she could. She drove bus for Alpena Public Schools for 28 years before “retiring” in 1994. Loretta always stayed busy. Long after “retirement” from the school system she worked at various jobs such as the Marathon Station in Hubbard Lake, caregiver, patch boss at Cripps Fruit Farm, and working the gates at the Alpena Fair Grounds. She didn’t fully retire until the age of 80 and even then, could be found riding the lawn mower right up until she was 90. Loretta is survived by her three children, Loretta Helzer, Clarence (Theresa) Udell, Gordon (Dawn) Udell; eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; 17 great-great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by both parents, six siblings, Paul, Cliff, Bruce, and Doug Mikowetz, Edna Christy, and Audrey Patterson. Family and friends will gather at McWilliams Funeral Home on Saturday, March 24, 2018, from 11 a.m. until the time of the service at 2 p.m. with Pastor Scott Joy officiating. Memorial donations can be made to Hospice of Michigan. Online condolences can be registered at www.mcwilliamsfh.com.