Astrid DeFrain

Astrid Margaret DeFrain, 60, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 3, 2024. She was born in St. Clair Shores on July 25, 1963. Astrid's life was a testament to love, family, faith, and the joy of serving the Lord and helping others. Astrid was born into a German speaking household as both parents immigrated to the U.S. after WWII and it was this upbringing that contributed to her renowned displays of intense German efficiency.
Following high school, Astrid continued her education at Michigan State University where she achieved a BA degree in Marketing. Her other crowning achievement at MSU was meeting Robert, her husband of 35 years. Superb customer support was a hallmark trait of Astrid and her lifelong career in sales; from checks to Danish furniture, to children's clothing and high-end home furnishings and linens along with running her own custom gift baskets business.
The corporate world of sales may have been her occupation, but her greatest achievement, she would tell you, was being a mother and raising her two children Emilie and Daniel. Astrid's other passions included reading, gardening, sewing, hiking, biking, and of course snow skiing. Every winter saw the family enjoying wintery weekends on the snowy slopes of Michigan, Colorado, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York.
Astrid was an active long-time member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Oxford. She greatly enjoyed serving on several boards and community outreach endeavors, overseeing the MOPS program, and took a leading role within Holy Cross Preschool. Perhaps her greatest love though was being a part of the annual Vacation Bible School week. Later in her life she continued her passion of helping others through her work with the Oxford Pregnancy Center.
Astrid is survived by husband Robert, her daughter Emilie (Adam) Gleason, her son Daniel, her grand-daughter Laura Faith Gleason; her brother Thomas (Anne) Schmidtke; and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents Margarete and Joachim Schmidtke.
Visitation will take place at Lynch & Sons Funeral Directors, 29 W. Burdick, Oxford on Friday, June 7, 2024 from 2-8 PM and Saturday, June 8, 2024 from 10-11 AM with a funeral service Saturday at 11 AM. In lieu of Flowers memorials may be made to the Oxford Pregnancy Center, 8 N. Washington St., Oxford, MI 48371.