Marilyn Ruth (VanNiel) Lamprecht

Marilyn Ruth Lamprecht (nee: VanNiel), 83 years of age, and a lifelong resident of Amherst, entered into eternal rest with our Lord, Monday, May 8, 2023 after suffering a three-year illness. She was born on September 24, 1939, in Amherst, Ohio.  

In 1962 she married her first love, Richard L. Pongracz, but tragically lost him in a hunting accident six weeks later.  Mourning her loss, she moved to Texas to get away from everything.  It is there where she met her second love, and love of her life, Herbert E. Lamprecht.  Marilyn and Herb were married June 24th,1964 in New Braunfels, Texas.  A year later they moved back to Amherst where they resided for the remainder of their lives.  

Marilyn's primary focus in life was family, especially her husband, children and grandchildren.  She would frequently sacrifice her own needs to provide for the needs of her children, and would just say, "That's what mother's do."  Her love and hospitality were known and experienced by everyone who came into her life, and her compassion and generosity were felt most strongly by those who were considered to be an underdog or black sheep.  She made everyone feel like family and even her children's friends called her "Mom."  Her door was always open, "the more the merrier," she would always say, and no one who entered her home ever left hungry.  

Marilyn enjoyed being a member of TOPS and going out to eat on Sundays.  Up until her illness, she enjoyed growing a vegetable garden and planting flowers in the shrine.  Most of all, she loved being surrounded by her "babies."  

Survivors include her daughters, Lisa (Stephen) Lawrence of Elyria, Melissa Lamprecht and Diane (Gary Spivey) Lamprecht of Louisville, KY; eleven grandchildren, Elizabeth, Cassandra, Alyssa, William, Rebekah, Kaelynn, Ethan, Maria, Ashley, Rachel and Amber; and her great-grandchildren, Calliope and Magnus.

She was preceded in death by her husband of fifty-six years, Herbert E. Lamprecht on April 10, 2021; her siblings, Leonard VanNiel, Robert VanNiel, Wayne VanNiel; Joan Fitch and Regina Dalzell; and her parents, Edwin and Lucy A. VanNiel (nee: Gilles).

Friends may call Friday, May 12, 2023 from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Hempel Funeral Home, Amherst.   Funeral services will be held on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 200 St. Joseph Drive, Amherst.  The Rev. Fr. Timothy O’Connor, pastor, will officiate. Rebroadcasting of services will be available at www.hempelfuneralhome.com . Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Amherst..

The family suggests that memorial contributions be made according to donor's choice..

For those unable to attend please visit the funeral home's website to share a memory and sign the guest register, www.hempelfuneralhome.com.

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