Theodore E. List

Theodore Ernest List Saginaw, Michigan Passed away quietly at Hoyt Nursing Home on Monday, December 12, 2016, age 91 years. He was a quiet, gentle, loving, dedicated husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was born September 12, 1925 on a farm in Birch Run, MI to the late Ernst Conrad List and Clara Marie Sofie Loesel List. At the age of 12, he survived the untimely death of his father with the support of his extended family. He was a man of faith, baptized and confirmed at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church in Frankenmuth. He was an active member at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Saginaw, and a current member at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Hemlock. He attended St. Lorenz Lutheran Elementary School and graduated from Arthur Hill Trade School. He joined the United States Navy and served during World War II as an Electrician's Mate on an LST in the Pacific Islands, including the battle of Iwo Jima. He rarely spoke of his war experiences, but when interviewed this past Veteran's Day, he shared the story of being stuck in a typhoon where the ship's compass was off course and sending the vessel in circles. He was called down to fix the problem with the compass, which he accomplished by hitting it with a hammer. During his time in the Pacific, he fell in love with the island of Hawaii, and he recalled that the best thing that happened to him in the Navy was that he became a man. He returned to Saginaw, and finished his high school diploma at Arthur Hill High School. At his graduation he sat next to Shirley J. Littlejohn, the woman who would become his wife on November 29, 1947. They moved to Milwaukee, WI, where he attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering. He worked as an electrician with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 557. He helped construct many factories, schools, hospitals and nuclear facilities. The last five years of his career he worked at a nuclear power plant in Oswego, NY. He spent his life working for his family, on the job and through continual building and repairing of his home. He loved to fix things, tinker and invent. His most prized invention was the electrical lawn mowers he shared with his family. In retirement, Shirley and Ted traveled the world together, spending the month of February in his beloved Hawaii. He was a great host and tour guide for his family who visited him there. He was a member of the St. Peter Lutheran Men's Club, holding the title of "Euchre Champion" several times. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Shirley Jean List, and his four children, Linda (Wayne) Ackerman of Freeland and Susan (Gary) Delaney of Freeland, Timothy and Ronda List of Union, OH, and Michael and Linda List of Milford, OH; eight grandchildren Benjaman (Megan) List, Laura Ackerman, Sarah (Hans) Kaufmann, Kelly (Steven) Vilt, Thomas (Christina) List, Brian List, Stacy (Chris) Rohr, Kari (Brandon) Bohl.; ten great-grandchildren, Victoria, Reese and Dominic List, Regan and Quinn Kaufmann, Malachi, Gideon and Phineas List, Lynlee and Lincoln Rohr, his sister Mildred Burt and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased in death by two sisters, Helene List and Anita List Dewey. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 16, 2016 at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 2461 N. Raucholz Road, Hemlock. Rev. Dr. William L. Morris will officiate with burial in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday at W. L. Case and Company, 201 N. Miller Road from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. and at the church on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express sympathy may wish to consider a memorial to St. Peter Lutheran Church. He will be remembered by those who loved him as a peacemaker. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Funeral Home:
W. L. Case and Company
201 North Miller Road
Saginaw, MI
United States 48609