Obituary of Mildred Rose Lerch

Mildred Rose Lerch - 97 “Meme” June 19, 1924 – December 24, 2021 CUYAHOGA FALLS - Mildred (Bechter) Lerch was born on June 19, 1924, in Akron, Ohio, to Charles A. and Minnie Bechter. She was raised in Akron, alongside her siblings; Charles, Ralph, Robert Bechter and Mary (Bechter) Harvey. She was fondly known to her family and friends as Milly. Milly was married to Henry Lerch, Jr., on October 5, 1942. Together they made their home in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio and raised their only daughter, Rebecca (Lerch) Ruhlin. They were both lifetime members to the Firestone VFW Post 3383. This became her second home where she loved to serve the weekly fish fry as well as run the weekly euchre games. She was an avid euchre player and she scheduled weekly tournaments up until the week before she passed. In addition, she enjoyed decorating the post for all the holidays. The members at the post became a second family to her. We give special thanks to Ed Frankovic for helping her keep these traditions up throughout the last few years. To “Meme” (as referred to by family), her most treasured possessions were her family members and her cat, Annie. She leaves behind her only daughter, Rebecca (Benjamin J.) Ruhlin; grandchildren: Michelle (Eric) Dietrich, Benjamin C. (Ashley) Ruhlin, and Michael (Stephanie) Ruhlin; great-grandchildren: Benjamin G. Ruhlin, Amira Dietrich, Shelby Dietrich, Jack Ruhlin, Mya Ruhlin, Mason Ruhlin, and Ellie Ruhlin. Meme was full of life and laughter. She was always the biggest cheerleader of her grandchildren and great- grandchildren’s activities. She enjoyed their football and baseball games, dance and cheerleading competitions, and school activities. She was always there to support her kids. She loved the thrill of the hunt when she would search for “treasures” as she bounced from thrift store to thrift store. She always looked forward to getting together with her daughter, granddaughter, extended family, her great-grandkids, and her good friend, Mary Cavallaro, to go shopping, thrifting, and having lunch at her favorite restaurants. Meme was a special, unique person whose outlook on life is what allowed her 97 years of fun! She had a special recipe for her long life: “Keep moving, love life, enjoy the ones you love, and most importantly, drink two Bud Lights a day!” She will be forever missed by those who loved her the most. We would like to give a special Thank You to Western Reserve Hospital for the care and comfort they offered during her final days. A private memorial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to be made to Paws and Prayers: http://pawsandprayers.org