Agnes Sekrecki

Agnes Elisabeth (Roehrig) Sekrecki, age 93, of Battle Creek, passed away Wednesday, October 25, 2017, at Glenn Arbor Hospice.  Agnes was born in Flieden, Germany to Franz and Mathilde Roehrig, the youngest of seven daughters.  Her father died when she was one year old, but Agnes said she never remembered being deprived of anything growing up.  Agnes immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1953 to marry her fiancé, Jan Sekrecki.  Jan passed away in 1977.  Agnes was the first employee at GHS Corporation in 1960 and worked there until her retirement in 1989.  She attended St Philip Catholic Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church.  She was a member of the German-American Club, the Polish Club, and the early morning pool exercise group at the Y.  She had many hobbies and interests including gardening, knitting, and cooking.  She was famous for her zucchini and banana breads, and wonderful dinners she prepared for friends.  She received a Battle Creek Enquirer George Award in 2016 for knitting over one thousand hats for infants served by Grace Health Center.   Agnes continued knitting more hats, making about 250 every year because she liked to keep busy.   Agnes’ care for children meant that the neighbor kids and children of friends could always count on a lollipop or other treat.  She was a longtime supporter of Battle Creek Catholic Schools.  Agnes had been a dog and cat owner and cared about the welfare of neighborhood animals, providing outdoor shelter, feeding, and spaying neighborhood stray cats and always having an extra dog biscuit for neighbors’ dogs.  Agnes is survived by a niece Ursula (Adolf) Gaertner, and a nephew, Reinhold (Uschi) Roehrig, of Germany.  She is also survived by many grand-nieces and grand-nephews in Germany and friends of all ages.  Agnes was a friendly person whose ongoing interest in others and zest for life attracted people.  The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 31, 2017 at St. Philip Catholic Church with interment to follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Richard A. Henry Funeral Home on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. with the Rosary to be recited at 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Battle Creek Area Catholic School Foundation, St. Philip Catholic Church, St. Joseph Catholic Church, Glenn Arbor Hospice, or your favorite charity. www.henryfuneralhome.org