Carleen Elizabeth Overholt

Carleen Elizabeth Overholt passed away peacefully January 27, 2023 after a long and fulfilling life. All her children were able to be at her side during the last week.

Carleen was born in Royal Oak, Michigan April 23, 1927, the daughter of Henry J. Ponitz and Jeanette (Bouwman) Ponitz. She was a graduate of Lansing Sexton High School 1945 and Western Michigan University 1949. She taught school in Traverse City and Ypsilanti (B.C."before children"). She married Dr. Hubert G. Overholt June 25, 1950. She was a devoted wife and mother to 4 children.

Living in Holland, MI 1954-1978, she was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, serving on the Altar Guild, Youth Leader, and Bible Study Leader. She served as Cub Scout Den Mother for 6 years, Campfire leader 3 years, Camp Concordia Lutheran Children's camp 6 years, and Parent Teacher Council chair. While living in Hastings, MI, Mrs. Overholt was an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, serving as Assisting Minister, Altar Guild, Circle Leader, and Stephen Minister. She also served many years as a hospice volunteer.

In 2015, after the death of her beloved husband, Hugh, she moved to McKinney, TX to be closer to family. Living in an independent senior living community, she continued to be very active with caring for others, becoming the chief "Ambassador" for newcomers within a year, and being involved with her new church home at Rejoice Lutheran in Frisco TX. She enjoyed cards and dice games, mahjongg along with water aerobics, book club and a knitting group. She also worked in trips to Glacier National Park, a river cruise in Oregon, Arkansas to the Crystal Bridges Museum, Texas Bluebonnets in Ennis, an Alaskan cruise and bus to Denali, Carlsbad CA to see family, and a wedding in Boston.

Besides family and God, her joys in life were dancing to big band music, listening to classical music, the theater and art, flowers and birds. No matter where she was, people looked forward to her smile, her joyful energy, heartfelt caring, and a hug.

Carleen is survived by her son Bryan Overholt and his daughter Sarah and son Alex (Alexandra), son Richard "Rick" Overholt and his son Neil (Michelle) and their children and step-children, Monika, Max, and Zach, daughter Marie (Jerry) LaPlante, daughter Martha (Brian) Bay and their children Jeanette (Joe) Girard, Catherine and her son Sebastian, and Brian E., brother Dr. David H. Ponitz, and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday February 11 at 11:00 a.m. at Rejoice Lutheran Church, 12000 Independence Pkwy, Frisco, TX 75035. When planning it, she wrote that she wanted the music to be joyful, and she wanted "everyone to sing, because I am going to be so happy!"   Cards and written memories are welcomed. Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Concordia at campconcordia.org/donate. A graveside service will be held in the spring on April 23, 2023 at 2:00 PM at Freeport Cemetery in Freeport, MI. Arrangements by Girrbach Funeral Home, to leave an online condolence visit www.girrbachfuneralhome.net.