Mae Schmidt

Mae Schmidt was a woman who never settled for anything less than perfection. Perfection in her work, in her life, and in the love she gave to those around her. Mae was a wonderful woman, who lived a long and wonderful life, whose life and love lives on today in all who knew her.

Mae’s story began on a cold fall day in 1917, as the first snows fell in Ishpeming, Michigan. Those were turbulent times around the globe, as the terrible battles of World War I raged overseas. Yet on December 3, 1917, Adi and Emelia Lakenen celebrated more than a new home, after emigrating from their native Finland, but also the birth of a baby girl they named Mae.

Mae was one of the younger of eight siblings in the family’s Ishpeming home, where she learned to speak her parents’ native tongue, and learned to take pride in all that she did.

After graduating from high school, Mae moved to Grand Rapids, where she found work at Peck’s Drug Store, followed by working at AMP for a time. When World War II started, she began working at General Motors in the sewing department, where she remained until retirement.

After the war was over, she went dancing one night at the Silver Cloud, where she met a handsome man named Louis Schmidt, who put her on Cloud Nine. The two quickly fell in love and were married on September 8, 1951, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids, where she would be a member the rest of her life.

Mae was a wonderful wife, a hardworking perfectionist in all that she did. She kept the home meticulously clean inside – and Louis kept the outside meticulously well kept. They were a truly a team in all that they did.

Mae and Louis shared a beautiful life together, full of so many great memories and adventures. From their cottage on the Muskegon River, to the cruises they enjoyed all over the globe, Mae and Louis were truly globe-trotting partners who loved their life together. They spent a month in Europe, traveling alone as always, making sure to meet new friends on every adventure. Mae was an especially social woman, who could light up a room.

In earlier years, the couple liked to dance and play cards, and throughout their life together, they always looked forward to gatherings with friends and relatives. In retirement they enjoyed wintering in Punta Gorda, Florida.

Over the last several years, Mae’s eyesight greatly deteriorated, and Mae became her eyes. He cared for her at home until just recently, when she needed more help.

She passed away peacefully at the Christian Rest Home, on Saturday, April 12, 2008, and rests now in God’s arms.

Mae was a wonderful woman, polite and proper, adventurous and outgoing. She was a perfectionist, who never settled for anything but the best, in the life she led, or the love she gave. She will be greatly missed.

Mae was preceded in death by her brothers, Bill and Ownie, and by her sisters: Marie, Tyne, Elsa, Verna and Esther. Mae is survived by her husband of 56 years, Louis (her dearest “Kulta”); sister-in-law, Roseanne Stander, and many nieces and nephews. She will be dearly remembered by all who knew her gentle graciousness. Mae was a longtime member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church where a Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 16 at 12 Noon. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family at the church from 11 AM until the time of the service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to St. Mary’s Church are appreciated. To read more about Mae’s life, to share a favorite memory, or to sign the online register, please visit www.lifestorynet.com