Evelyn Gertrude ‘Evie’ Schmidtman

Born at home in Brant, Michigan, on September 2, 1930, the fifth of six children born to Ernest and Nora (McFall) Valentine, she was raised as a farm girl in various locations of Saginaw and Gratiot counties. In her childhood, she acquired a strong work ethic and ability to stretch a dollar long before becoming a wife and mother. She graduated from Elsie High School in 1948 and decided to move to the Big City of Lansing with her sister, Jean. There she began working as a secretary for the VFW and enjoyed apartment life with her sister and roommates.

Through these roommates she met a fair haired young man finishing his business degree at Michigan State College. Dale LeRoy Schmidtman had finally found his true “Valentine” and they were married August 18, 1951. As Evelyn had never been out of Michigan, the love-birds headed west to California where they worked and enjoyed the sights. In 1953, they relocated to Bannister, Michigan to be near family when their first child, Cathy, was born, followed soon after by daughters, Linda and Sandy. Five years later they built their dream home north of Lansing and during this time their son, Bob, joined the group.

In 1964, Dale received a promotion as Business Manager at Marquette Branch Prison and once again they moved to Marquette. Living in their house on Lake Superior for 46 years they had one more child, Melissa.

A quiet, gentle soul, she was always one to help out but not take credit. Over the years, she belonged to various church and ladies groups. She could always be counted on to help family and friends in good times and bad with cooking, sewing, and many crafty projects.

Caring for her family always came first but Evelyn did manage to work at various state agencies over the years: Social Services, Corrections, and Lottery. When Dale retired she did soon afterwards, also to make sure that his Honey Do list actually got accomplished each day. Wanderlust returned and the couple again hit the open road throughout the USA and also Europe. Finally they settled as Winter Snowbirds in San Benito, Texas and made many new friends at Fun N Sun Resort. Summers were spent in Michigan, visiting grandkids, watching their sporting events, making memories of camping adventures, beach fires, popcorn parties, playing card games, homemade ice cream, root beer floats, making cookies, and picking blueberries.

Preceding Evelyn in death were her husband, Dale, her parents and all five of her siblings, Arlene, Robert, Jean, Glenn, and Marilyn.

Survivors include: daughters, Cathy (Robert) Brumm, Linda Schmidtman, Melissa (Scott) Duer of Marquette, Sandra (Robert) Winters of Willis, Texas and son, Robert (Nancy) Schmidtman of Sheboygan, Wisconsin; 10 grandchildren: Jennifer (Brad) Carr, Derek Brumm, Tammy (Matt) Savolainen, Joseph (Anne Wiley) Mead, Andrew (Lihua) Mead, Libby Schmidtman, Conrad Schmidtman, Kelsey (Joe) Petrocik, Tyler (Alexandra Karki) Duer, Riley (Emma Firby) Duer; 9 great- grandchildren: Billy, Chuckie, Anthony, Carson, Lucas, Kenzie, Hadley, Ruth, and Anthony.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the excellent staff at Jacobetti for their superb care of our mother during these most difficult and challenging times.

A private family gathering was held and a celebration of life will occur later this year.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Jacobetti Home for Veterans Activity Fund, 425 Fisher Street, Marquette, MI 49855 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 3224 US Hwy 41 West #180, Marquette, MI 49855.

If you are lucky enough to still have a Mom, Grandma, or any special elderly relative nearby, please give them an extra Hug today. That was the one thing we missed the most this past year with our Mom.

Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral and Cremation Services is serving the family, where condolences may be expressed online at fassbenderswansonhansen.com.