Miriam “Bempie” Misch (Kurth), age 90, of Rochester, was called to her heavenly home on December 2, 2022. Bempie is survived by her five children: son Steve Misch, son Dave and Susan Misch, son Paul and Kris Misch, son Mark Misch and Bryan Clifford, and daughter Mary and Scott Burrell. Bempie is also survived by grandson Patrick & Kristen Misch & great-granddaughter Phoebe, granddaughter Katie Misch, and granddaughter Erin & John Sanders; grandchildren Parker, Adam, and Annalee Misch; grandchildren Sarah, Emma, and Elizabeth Burrell. She is also survived by her sister Beba Frey and brothers Charles Kurth and Dave Kurth.
Visitation Monday, December 12, 1-8 PM at Pixley Funeral Home, 322 W. University Drive, Rochester MI. Funeral Service at 11 AM (visitation at 10 AM), Tuesday, December 13 at St. John Lutheran Church, 1011 W. University Drive, Rochester MI. Committal Service will be held Wednesday, December 14 at 2 PM at Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly MI.
Bempie was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 25, 1932 to Esther (Pfotenhauer) and Erwin Kurth. She had fond memories of her childhood with her parents and siblings Beba, Dicky, Pit, Charlie and Dave. Bempie always honored and respected her parents and grandparents and carried on the legacy and traditions of her German-Lutheran heritage.
After the early years in Brooklyn, the family moved to Fort Wayne when her father was called to serve a congregation there. Bempie enjoyed her years in Fort Wayne, graduating from Concordia High School. She then attended Valparaiso University and received her teaching degree. At Valparaiso University she met Don Misch and they were later married by her father in Detroit in 1955. Bempie taught elementary school after college while her husband Don served in the Navy.
Bempie and Don then began to build their family. Steve was born in 1959 (Detroit), followed by Dave in 1962 (Sierra Madre CA), Paul in 1966 (Peoria), Mark in 1968 (Rochester) and Mary in 1972 (Rochester). Bempie was focused on her family in these years, nurturing her 5 children and creating cherished memories at the family home on Lonesome Oak, where she lived the rest of her life. Don and Bempie's faith was central to their family life and they were active at St. John Rochester. During this time Don and Bempie built lifelong friendships with many.
After Bempie’s children became adults, she served as church secretary at St John Rochester and enjoyed serving the congregation and students. Bempie also cherished the many friends that shared these years with her and her family. She particularly enjoyed playing an active role in the life of her nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She was indeed a great mother and grandmother and will be sorely missed by her family and friends and thankful she is with our Lord.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Bempie to the following 3 charities would be greatly appreciated:
St. John Lutheran Church and School - (https://www.stjohnrochester.org/celebrate/giving-options/) (248-402-8000)
Lutheran High School Association of Greater Detroit – (https://www.lhsa.com/support) (248-856-0240)
LCMS Joint Seminary Fund – (https://www.lcms.org/makeagift/joint-seminary-fund) (888-930-4438 ext. 1315)
For those that cannot attend in person, the family is also planning an online virtual memorial in the near future. Contact Dave Misch @ davemisch@gmail.com for details.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.17