Antoinette Allswede

Antoinette Allswede passed away peacefully at home on July 14, 2023. She was born at home in Hazel Park in 1931 to Anthony and Nellie Mikulski and grew up on a farm in North Branch with her parents and four younger brothers. She was the valedictorian of her class and received a scholarship to Central Michigan University; after her freshman year there, she put her education on hold to get married and raise her family. She was a strong, tireless and loving mother of eleven children, teaching them to sew, cook, bake, garden and many other life lessons. A plant lover with a Master Gardener degree from Michigan State University; she never saw a spot of dirt she didn't want to plant something in. She loved reading books more than anything and often said, "Good books are like friends, we should keep them." After all her children were of school age, she went back to college to complete her bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and then taught first grade for 19 years. She felt proud that every one of her students learned to read while in her class, strongly believing that reading gives you power. She was very involved with the St. Therese Parish as a member of the choir, St. Ann's Circle and the St. Therese Women's Society, baking hundreds of pies for funeral dinners. She loved traveling and made trips throughout the U.S., Mexico and Europe. One of her favorite trips was a pilgrimage to Poland; her father was a second generation immigrant and she cherished the Polish traditions. She called it her healing trip after losing her husband. When she retired from teaching, she was an exam proctor at Cooley Law School. She had a cheerful disposition and was always quick to make friends and build lasting relationships. She often proclaimed that she has always felt lucky.

Antoinette was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 62 years, Kenneth Allswede, three sons Russell Allswede, Kenneth Allswede, Timothy Allswede and a brother, Edward Mikulski. She is survived by eight daughters: Susan Earley (Robert), Deborah Smalley (Jerry), Catherine Babcock (David), Roberta Steele (Walter), Rebecca Allswede, Jennifer Allswede (Robert Clegg), Jan Robbins (Rich) and Patricia Terrell (Brandt); 21 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. She has three surviving brothers: Tom Mikulski, Jim Mikulski (Ellen) and John Mikulski (Maria) and 23 nieces and nephews.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Monsignor Bernard Reilly at 11:00 am Saturday, July 22, 2023 at St. Therese of Lisieux Parish, 102 W. Randolph, Lansing, with Deacon Dave Borzenski as Homilist. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at church and from 6:00-8:00 pm Friday at Gorsline-Runciman Tiffany Chapel, 3232 West Saginaw Street, with the Vigil at 7:30 pm.

Charitable donations can be made to the St. Therese Parish or the Capital Area Literacy Coalition.