John Lorenz Haubenstricker

John Lorenz Haubenstricker, son of William and Florence (Weber) Haubenstricker was born on January 23, 1938 in Tuscola Twp, MI. John grew up near Frankenmuth, MI and graduated from Millington High School in 1956 where he was active in sports, debating and student government. John attended Concordia Teachers College, River Forest, IL playing football and baseball, and serving as captain of the football team and President of the Student Body during his senior year, graduating with a B.S. Degree in elementary education in 1961.

Following a year of graduate study at the University of Minnesota, John joined the faculty at his alma mater, teaching physical education and coaching football, baseball, and wrestling. He completed his master's degree in physical education from the University of Minnesota in 1965 and his Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Motor Development in 1971. In 1973 he became a member of the faculty in the Department of Kinesiology at MSU until his retirement in 2003. John was coordinator of the Motor Performance Study Program from 1978 to 1999 and Director of the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports from 2000 to 2002. He received the Distinguished Service Award from the Michigan Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 1987; the Distinguished Faculty Award from the MSU College of Education Alumni Association in 1991; the Midwest Scholar of the Year Award from the Midwest District of the American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance in 2000; the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Concordia University in 2000 and was elected the Cougar Athletic Hall of Fame at Concordia University in 2005.

John married Beth Waldschmidt on August 10, 1963 in River Forest, IL. They were blessed with three children and were happily married for 59 years. John was active member of Ascension Lutheran Church, sang in the choir and served as its Deacon from 2008 until 2021. John enjoyed gardening, yard work, handyman tasks, reading, MSU sports and making black raspberry wine.

John was preceded in death by his parents, a brother (David), 2 infant sisters (Waneta and Dorothy), a sister Marlene (Louis) Armbrecht (Robert) Elder, a sister Carol (Worley) Mays, sister-in-law Ruth (Richard) Vagts of Vassar, MI. Surviving are his wife Beth of Lansing; his sons David (Gabriele) Haubenstricker of Pinckney, MI and John Jr. (Jodi) Haubenstricker of Plymouth, MI; daughter Amy (Bruce) Lester of Eaton Rapids; his grandchildren, Bridgette, Brooke, Brittany, Victor, Brianna, and Sydney Haubenstricker; and Amanda, Erica, and Stephanie Lester.

A memorial service will be held at Ascension Lutheran Church, 2780 Haslett Rd, East Lansing, MI 48823 at 11:00AM on Saturday, March 18, 2023 with visitation at 10:00AM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made either to Ascension Lutheran Church or to a charity of your choice.