Douglas Stindt went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 12, 2018. Age 87 years. Douglas was born on April 14, 1931, in Bay City, Michigan, to Waldemar and Norma Stindt.
He was baptized at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Bay City. He graduated from St. John’s Lutheran School, Michigan Lutheran Seminary in Saginaw, and Dr. Martin Luther College in New Ulm, Minnesota. In 1951, he interrupted his college education to emergency teach at the Lutheran Apache Mission in Bylas, Anzona, for a year.
After graduating from DMLC, he married Loraine Treichel of Bentley, North Dakota, on July 17, 1954, and took his assigned call to St. John’s Lutheran Church in Newtonburg, Wisconsin, where he taught for five years. In 1959, he took a call back to his native Michigan and taught for 34 years at St. Paul’s Lutheran School in Saginaw. During that time he attended Michigan State University and received his Master’s Degree.
He also completed courses at Central Michigan University and Delta College. While at St. Paul’s, Doug taught in all eight grades at one time or another, directed the children’s choruses, bands and adult choir. He coached several sports, directed the Young People’s Society, and played organ for church services when needed.
He was a member of the Saginaw Choral Society. Doug became certified through the American Red Cross as an instructor in first aid, small boat operation, and lifesaving. He volunteered in all these areas.
He taught at and later became director of Camp Mahanaim, a Lutheran summer camp. He took his SPL fifth graders to Hartley Outdoor Education Center in St. Charles, Michigan, and after he retired he taught outdoor survival skills and Native American lore at the Center. Doug retired from classroom teaching in 1993 and spent more time traveling, wood-working, creating stained glass pieces, reading and camping.
He loved the outdoors and was a member of Canada Creek Ranch in Atlanta, Michigan. He also contributed to many Builders for Christ projects. More than anything, he loved to teach, he loved his kids, and he loved his Lord for giving him the strength and patience to use all his gifts to do the profession chosen for him.
Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Loraine’s parents, and his brother-in-law, Michael Voecks. He is survived by his wife Loraine, his daughters Sue Stindt and husband Craig Ross of Ann Arbor; Kim Stindt and husband Mark Heilala of Mukilteo, Washington; two sisters, Marie Voecks of Mundelein, Illinois, and Lois Becker and husband Phil Becker of Bedford. New Hampshire; two brothers-in-law, Allen Treichel and wife Marion of Coleman, Wisconsin, and Wilmer Treichel and wife Aileen Treichel of Mott.
North Dakota, along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and close friends. A memorial service will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 22, 2018, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1020 Court Street. Pastor David Naumann will officiate.
Friends may visit with the family on Friday at W. L. Case and Company, 4480 Mackinaw Road, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Should friends so desire, donations may be made to Michigan Lutheran Seminary Foundation or St. Paul’s Lutheran School. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Douglas Stindt, please visit our Tribute Store.
If you found any mistakes, or you would like to add/remove to this obituary, please contact us by email: info@obituary.memorial. We never ask money for this.
