Lyla M. Meinecke

Saginaw, Michigan

"O happy day that fixed my choice on thee."

Born September 11, 1932, Lyla M. Meinecke, maiden name Braley, was welcomed into the world by her father and mother, Bub and Derma Braley, and two brothers, Harold and Ralph Braley. It was a difficult time for many families, but trips to the barber shop where Bub worked proved fun to a young Lyla.

An educated woman, Lyla graduated high school in the spring of 1950. One of my favorite photos of my granny is from this day: her standing tall in the ceremonial gown, hair curled, and head turned towards my grandpa, Charles E. Meinecke. Both have a genuine full tooth smile. Lyla and Charles Meinecke were married October 27, 1951 and spent forty-one years together before Charles' passing from an illness in January 1992. They are survived by three children,

Lyla Meinecke Bishop, husband John, Charles W. Meinecke, wife Judy, and Glen E. Meinecke, wife Trudy, ten grandchildren, and sixteen great-grandchildren.

A woman of faith, Lyla found solace and inspiration in her garden and was particularly fond of her roses. This inspiration carried into her art in which the delicate petals were one of many subjects to adorn the porcelain Lyla meticulously crafted and fired in the kiln. My granny may not have been what some would call 'a worldly woman,' but she was a woman of this world. In love with nature, a maker of the best dill bread and pepper nuts you'll ever find, and a woman of words. Lyla journaled almost every day, a practice she enforced at the Meinecke family cottage. Anyone who visited had to leave one journal entry before the end of their trip. If there was something I cherished, it was these journals. It didn't matter how old or young you were, everyone's entry was encouraged. And maybe this is what my granny taught me—that the writing, the act of recording, was important and worthy of time. Perhaps this is why I am a writer today.

Lyla M. Meinecke, who led an unassuming life on a farm in Saginaw, Michigan for many years, cared about the details of life. It was the small moments written down in her journals that made the world beautiful and worth experiencing. She taught me that living was about taking notice of the details. I will forever be grateful. May you rest now next to God, your family, and your husband.

"I was so fortunate, I knew it all."

-an excerpt from Lyla M. Meinecke's Journal, January 11, 1984

As recorded by Alexandria Meinecke, granddaughter of Lyla M. Meinecke.

Funeral services will take place on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Saginaw Valley Church of the Nazarene, 1815 Tittabawassee Rd. Saginaw, MI 48604. Reverend Bill Evans will officiate with burial to follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Lyla's family will receive visitors at church on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to Frankenmuth James E. Wickson District Library.

Arrangements entrusted to Cederberg Funeral Home of Frankenmuth, 590 N. Franklin St.