Vanice E. Guthrie, age 82, of Stryker, with her husband at her side, was called to her heavenly home late Friday afternoon, Feb. 9th, 2018 at Community Health Professionals – Defiance Area Inpatient Hospice.
Born July 18, 1935 in VanWert, OH, Vanice was the oldest of three children of William (Pete) and Gertrude Hagerman. She was a graduate of North Side High School, in Fort Wayne, IN. She then attended Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
On Feb. 5th, 1966, Vanice wed Walt “Tug” Gurthrie in Houghton Lake, MI. Early in her marriage, she worked as a bookkeeper at Castle Enterprises and later at Sauder Manufacturing in Stryker during its formative years. She also enjoyed working as a waitress at various restaurants and country clubs in the area. Vanice loved being a homemaker. She was an excellent cook and was known by many for the delicious foods that she preserved from her garden. Her lively personality and athleticism were a perfect blend with Tug as they enjoyed many years of skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, golfing and camping. Vanice’s favorite indoor hobbies included card playing (Pinochle and Gin Rummy) and sewing (counted cross stitch). She and Tug were avid travelers with numerous trips to Minnesota, most of the fifty states, Scotland, Africa, several trip to Germany and Aruba. One of Vanice’s favorite adventures was spending two months with Tug, in their conversion van, exploring the highways and byways of Alaska. When not at home or travelling, Vanice spent much of her time enjoying their cottage at Huyck Lake.
Vanice is survived by her husband Walt (Tug) Guthrie, daughter Mary Leinard of Antwerp, OH, step-daughter Pam Guthrie of Brooklyn, MI, grand-daughter Megan Leinard (Valparaiso University), and sister Arlene Frash (Fort Wayne, IN.). She was precede in death by her parents, a brother William Hagerman, a son Frank Leinard, and stepson Pat Guthrie.
Visitation for Vanice will be held from 2:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. on Tuesday, February 13, 2018, at the First Lutheran Church in Stryker. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Wednesday, also in the church, with Pastor Tamara, Wood officiating. Interment will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery in Stryker. The family requests that memorial contributions be given to First Lutheran Church or the charity of the donor’s choice. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.grisierfh.com. Grisier Funeral Home in Stryker has been entrusted with arrangements.