Karin M. (Mietling) Stechschulte

Karin Stechschulte

 GLANDORF-Karin Marianne Stechschulte passed away in Germany on March 13, 2021 after a short illness.  Karin was born in Poland on September 24, 1942 to the late Irmagard and Adalbert Mietling.  Karin’s first husband, Klaus survives.  Karin then met Paul Stechschulte.  Paul and Karin were married in 2006, he passed away in 2010 after a short illness.

 Karin is survived by her daughter, Susanne (Jens) Dittmar of Germany; grandchildren, Lina Dittmar and Jonas Dittmar, both of Germany; sisters-in-law, Shirley (Richard) Maenle, Betty (Stephen) Frick, both of Ottawa, and Lois (Dick) Lammers of Glandorf; step nieces, Marna (Jay) Inkrott of Ottawa, Rachel Lammers of Findlay, Allyson (Dean) Brinkman of Glandorf, Sarah (Lucas) Womack of Toledo, Jennifer Lammers of Findlay, Joel (Autumn) Frazee of Detroit, MI; great-step niece, Morgan Inkrott; great-step nephews, Vincent Brinkman, Hayden Inkrott, Noah Brinkman, Raeger and Rowan Womack.  She is preceded in death by her brother, Manfred and her sister, Anita.

 Karin was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Congregation in Bluffton.  She and Paul attended the Lutheran Church in Bluffton; Plant City, FL., and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Glandorf.

 Although Karin was born in Poland her family moved from Poland to Germany when she was young.  During her life, she also lived in South Africa, Australia, and the United States.  Karin learned perfect English in South Africa.  She was a medical assistant for many years and because of her excellent English, Karin took a job at a German airline, Hapag Lloyd, now Tui Fly.  She met Paul at airline functions in Europe.  After retirement she moved to the United States.  She and Paul were married in 2006.  They spent part of each year half in Germany and half in Ohio and Florida.

 After Karin and Paul were married, they moved to the Stechschulte Homestead near Glandorf and loved welcoming family and friends.  Their keen interest in the Stechschulte family heritage led them to the original homestead in Germany to learn even more.  Karin’s longtime dreams came true as she loved the arts and was very creative as an exceptional watercolorist.  She was also a member of a local painting group, loved playing cards, enjoyed “live” theater, took piano lessons and sewed.

 Making new friendships was easy for Karin as many friends were made in Putnam County and beyond.  She loved her family in Germany and was an enthusiastic grandma to Lina and Jonas.  Karin also loved her entire family in America.  After Paul’s death she became a dual citizen of Germany and the United States.  She moved back to Germany to be closer to her German family in 2017 with intentions of returning to visit her American family as time permitted and vice versa.  Karin is deeply missed by many.

 Funeral services were held March 26, 2021, and burial on April 20, 2021 in Germany.

 In memory of Karin, a special person in our lives.  Always in our hearts.  Family never parts.  Loved forever.