Peggy Kathryn Futterer, 83, died peacefully in her home at Green Acres, in Manistee, MI with her family by her side on November 19, 2017. Peggy is the daughter of the late Manuel Joseph and Emily Pearl (Mashue) Smith. She was born September 23, 1934 in Midland, Michigan. Peggy attended Midland High School graduating in1952. Following high school she went to Central Michigan University for one year, then attending St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing in Saginaw, Michigan, where she graduated in1956 as a Registered Nurse.
Peggy married Dr. LeRoy Albert Futterer on October 13,1956. They honeymooned by traveling throughout Europe. During their courtship Peggy often visited Mackinac Island where Dr. Futterer was the island physician. She was especially fond of the people and island lifestyle.
In 1957 Peggy took her first job as a RN at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. In 1960 she and her husband relocated to Northern Michigan where they both worked at Camp Tenuga in Kalkaska County as resident nurse and physician. Later that year they settled in Manistee, Michigan. Manistee remained Peggy's home until the time of her death. During her early years in Manistee she worked as an RN in her husband's office. Later, after her children were grown, she worked at Memorial Medical Center in Ludington as a RN. She enjoyed skiing and playing tennis as well as watching her children's involvement with these sports.
Peggy was very active in her church, Holy Trinity Episcopal, where she served on alter guild and various committees throughout the years. She volunteered at the Ramsdell Theatre, Love For Children and sat on the Five Cap Board of Directors. She was also a member of PEO.
Africa held a place dear to her heart. She traveled there on two occasions. First on a safari viewing indigenous animals in their natural environment. Later she traveled with her church helping with preparations for a new young Bishop's ordination at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church's sister parish in Dar Es Salam.
Peggy truly loved life, people and animals. She was particularly proud of her Native American heritage. She had many pets throughout her lifetime including a horse and numerous dogs and cats . She enjoyed a good time whenever the opportunity arose. Even after dementia and Alzheimer's ravished her, she remained positive. She was inclusive and diverse before her time, always welcoming people of all races and religions.
Peggy was preceded in death by her husband Dr. LeRoy A. Futterer on December 7th, 2008.
Peggy is survived by her daughters Susan Futterer Batdorff (Jack Batdorff) of Traverse City, Michigan and Dr. Rise Futterer of Madison, Wisconsin. Also surviving is her grand daughter Emily Aysa Lutfi of Madison, Wisconsin, her sister in law Eunice Landaiche of Joliet, Iliinois and several nieces,nephews and cousins.
The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Green Acres for their care and kindness over the many years Peggy lived there as well as Hospice of Michigan for their thoughtful care.
A service celebrating her life will be held at Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 410 Second Street, Manistee,
Michigan on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11:00 am with the Reverend Celine Burke officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Holy Trinity Sister Parish Dar Es Salam, Africa, Love, Inc. or Ramsdell Theatre. Per her wishes, cremation has taken place. The family is being served by the Oak Grove Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Please visit Peggy’s personal page at www.oakgrovefh.com to share a photo or memory with the family.

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