Helen Schmidt

Helen M. Schmidt was known for her hospitable nature and friendly personality. She gained much wisdom from her life experiences and had witnessed the most traumatic events of the twentieth century, living through the Great Depression, both World Wars, and numerous cultural changes in the United States, as well as her own personal tragedies. Through it all, she loved her family dearly and treasured them above all else.

Helen was born right in her family's home on Fitch Court in southeast Grand Rapids. She arrived on October 1, 1910, to her proud parents, Charles and Harriette (Russell) Higgins. She and her family enjoyed spending time at Ramona Park and her love for the outdoors developed during their many hours on Reeds Lake. Helen graduated from Union High School just a couple of years before the stock market crash of 1929. She enjoyed listening to big band music with her friends.

Helen met a young man who loved the out-of-doors just as she did. She and Al Schmidt were married and shared countless hours of fishing, boating, and hunting. Helen and Al had two wonderful children whom they were very proud of. The family sometimes took outings together to the peaceful wilderness of northern Michigan, taking the ferry across the Straits of Mackinac before the bridge was completed in 1957. They sometimes stayed in cottages around the area as well, taking in the fresh, open air, walking through the woods, or walking along the lakeshore.

Helen and Al owned bars in Alto and Rothbury as well as a trailer park/campground near Harrison. The businesses took up a lot of their time, but they worked hard and took care of their family's needs. Helen enjoyed talking to the customers in the bars. She liked getting to know people, to hear their stories and give them a place to feel welcome. Her generosity extended to her own home, as well. She loved having company over and entertaining. When she wasn't working or fishing off the pier in Holland, Helen could sometimes be found bowling. In spite of the hectic pace of managing the bars, she put her family first and was a loving mother, making sure she was always available for her children.

Having lived in Michigan their whole lives, the Schmidts were aware that the state often surprises its residents with unpredictable and rapidly changing weather. They learned this firsthand when they experienced one of the area's most awe-inspiring and terrifying natural disasters. It was April 3, 1956, and Helen was home alone with the children in Standale. Around 7:00 that evening, Al was on his way to Chicago on a trucking run. He was a witness to something most people never actually see. As he was nearing Jenison, he saw an approaching tornado and thought immediately of Helen and the kids. He was able to call home and warn them. Helen saw the twister for herself and had enough time to get Sherry and Garry into the basement. Their garage was destroyed and their car and house sustained some damage. The rare F5 storm left eighteen people dead and 340 injured, and caused extensive damage throughout the area. The Schmidts themselves were, thankfully, unharmed.

Helen and Al were privileged to share many other memories together, although most were not as dramatic as the tornado. Their lives were mostly made up of the intricate, beautiful, everyday events that added up to years of laughter, heartache, and love with each other and their children. They were involved in the community together and joined the Moose and Elk Lodges. The couple celebrated fifty years of marriage with family and friends, an event that warmed their hearts and gave their children special pride and pleasure.

Helen endured the devastating loss of her spouse when Al passed away. She continued to do the things she enjoyed, like cooking, baking, and canning her own produce that she grew in her garden. She enjoyed traveling as well, and had visited California, Texas, and Florida. Recently, she stopped by her old house on Fitch Court. She visited with the current resident and was able to share the story of her birth and see the home one last time.

Helen is survived by her daughter, JoAnne Hoekstra; a son, Garry Schmidt; grandchildren, Sherry (Paul) Petroelje, Sandy Coy and Scott Wellman, Dawn (Mark) Warren, and Leigha (David) McCarrick; many great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Higgins.

Helen passed away on Saturday, September 25, 2004. Her husband, Al, and son-in-law, Ted Hoekstra, preceded her in death. Helen was ninety-three.

A service to celebrate Helen's life will be held Wednesday, September 29, at 11 AM at the Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. To read Helen's complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Hospice of Holland Home, please visit her personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Helen's friendly, generous nature put others at ease and made them feel at home. Her loved ones will treasure the memories of her love and will miss her.