Roseanne Stander

In as much as she gave, Roseanne Stander was loved abundantly and cherished in the hearts of many. A vibrant woman, she found joy and contentment in her faith, family and many good friends. Life held many blessings for Roseanne, and she was thankful for much. Dearly loved, Roseanne will be long remembered for her compassionate heart and kind ways.

The year 1916 filled the decade with various advancements and struggles. As the U.S. was advancing as a world power, troops were heavily engaged in World War I. Although the Michigan city of Grand Rapids was far removed from the chaotic battlefields of Europe, the war was on the hearts of many. It was during these uncertain times when Aloisious and Elizabeth (Markle) Schmidt welcomed the birth of their little girl, Roseanne Marian, born on February 2, 1916.

The oldest of five children in the Schmidt household, Roseanne was later joined by younger brothers, Joseph, John, Frank and Louis. To support their family, Roseanne's father worked at the John Widdicomb Furniture Factory as a veneer expert and her mother was a homemaker and area cook. As the oldest, Roseanne helped raise her siblings. She did much of the cooking and cleaning, which taught Roseanne her strong work ethic.

Both of Roseanne's parents were of German descent. Their family lived in the German area of the west side of Grand Rapids in their family home at 949 Jeannette. Faithful members of St. Mary's Catholic Church, they were devout to their Catholic faith. Life wasn't always easy with the perils of the Great Depression during Roseanne's formative years, but her family clung to their faith and the hope of better tomorrows.

Roseanne attended St. Mary's Elementary School and went on to Catholic Central High where she graduated with the Class of 1934. Following high school, she took a job in a local factory working in the office. While attending an office party for the company, she met the man who would come to hold her heart for the rest of her days. A handsome young man, Roger Stander and Roseanne began dating, fell in love and were married on November 10, 1939 at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Grand Rapids.

After a memorable honeymoon in Chicago, Illinois, Roseanne and Roger set-up house in the apartment above her parent's home. In time, six children came to bless their lives. Barbara was born in 1941, followed by James in 1944. Mary Beth came along in 1946, Ann in 1950, and twins, Joan and Geralyn completed their family in 1955. Their family attended weekly Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church where Roseanne was a lifetime member and member of the Altar Society. Each of her children attended St. Mary's Elementary School until her daughters went on to Mt. Mercy Academy while son, Jim attended West Catholic High School.

Roger began driving trucks and moved through sales to management in the transportation industry. Roseanne was a homemaker and kept very busy with the kids and keeping the home front running smoothly. As a mother, she was involved in the lives of her children and their schooling. She was encouraging, and in all ways, her family came first. In 1950 they bought a home on Haines Street NW where memorable times were shared and where Roseanne remained living until 2004.

Roseanne made a good home for Roger and the kids, and having helped raise her own siblings, she was no stranger to keeping house. Quite methodical, she was a meticulous woman who kept quite an orderly household. Her way in the kitchen provided her family with delicious meals over the years. She was a wonderful cook of roast beef dinners with potatoes and gravy, breaded pork chops and there was always dessert. Any one of her scrumptious pies or cakes was always ready for company. Her grandchildrens favorite became her cherry squares.

The summers were spent enjoying fun-filled times in Grand Haven where Roger's parents had a cottage on Lake Michigan. They also visited Northern Michigan on several occasions. Along with raising her family, Roseanne was always busy. She loved tending to her flowers, and kept a garden in which she canned and froze every fall harvest. When the children were older, she took a job as a bookkeeper at Springbrook Manor Nursing Home. For 35 years, she worked for the Board of Elections. In earlier years, driving was never important to Roseanne as many took the bus or walked everywhere.Roger often waited paitintly while she shopped. However, at the age of 58, Roseanne took driving lessons, acquired her driver's license. and drove well into her 90s.

Among her many interests, Roseanne taught herself to play the organ. She was a member of a book club for a while, and never missed reading the Grand Rapids Press from cover to cover. She loved the old time big band music of Glenn Miller. She especially loved watching the Lawrence Welk Show on TV. She and Roger loved to dance and whenever they attended the many weddings on the West Side, they were a sight to see on the dance floor.

Following a long illness, Roseanne's beloved Roger died at the age of 64 in 1977. After 38 years of marriage, Roseanne was beside herself, yet her strong faith and close family ties sustained her. She continued to keep active with the Elections Board and her work at Springbrook Manor, and she always looked forward to seeing her grandchildren.

Throughout the years, Roseanne took in her love of travel with family and friends. She visited many destinations such as California, the Caribbean, the Dominican Republic, Colorado, New York City and the New England states for color tours with her good friend, Wilma Morris. Always on the go, Roseanne was a delight to be around with her vibrant and active nature, and many enjoyed her company. Even into her 80s, it wasn't unusual to see Rosanne with a snow rake pulling snow off her roof in the winter.

In 2004, Roseanne's daughter Joan invited Rosanne to move in with her and the two became the best of roommates. Rosanne was always cooking and cleaning, even with her walker in tow. As her health began to diminish this past year, it took a turn over the last month. Hospice was called in to help care for Roseanne two weeks ago, and on Saturday afternoon, February 8, 2014, Roseanne, at the age of 98, died peacefully with her family and dear friends at her side.

The years were good to Roseanne Stander. A woman devout to her faith, Roseanne lived by her convictions. She was a Third Order Secular Franciscan SFO, and ever dedicated to the family she adored, she loved them dearly along with numerous friends. She was a kind, compassionate woman, and placed the needs of others before her own, especially her family. Deeply missed, she will be lovingly remembered.

Roseanne was preceded in death by her husband, Roger Stander; her daughters, Geralyn and Ann; brothers, Joseph, John and Frank Schmidt. She is lovingly survived by her children, Barbara Salamas, James and Gwen Stander, Mary Beth and Art Surowiec, Joan Morris and fiancé, Agostino Lafranca; 15 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren and one more on the way; her brother, Louis Schmidt; sister-in-law, Joanne (Harry) Hicks; many nieces, nephews and friends.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday morning at 11:00 AM at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 423 First St. NW. Burial in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Tuesday from 6–9 PM with the Rosary prayed at 7:00 PM. Visitation will also be at the church on Wednesday from 10:00 AM until Mass begins. Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Mary’s Church. To read more about Rosanne’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, please visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.