Joan Schmeichel of Kewadin was born during the Great Depression, grew up during World War II, and married during the Korean War. She was the mother of five children, grandmother of 16 grandchildren, and great-grandmother of 10. She shared 70 years of marriage with Neill Schmeichel, whom she first met in eighth grade.

Joan earned a degree in sociology from Rosemont College in Rosemont, Pennsylvania, and completed an internship in psychiatric social work at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. She later built a career at the University of Michigan, beginning as a temporary employee in various departments before becoming a full-time development officer in the Office of Annual Giving, where she worked until retirement.

Joan was a prolific writer whose work spanned everything from children's books to adult books, curriculum materials to fundraising letters. Her writing was featured in Voices of Michigan, an anthology of Michigan writers, in Volumes III and IV. Her short story, Kisses for Laura, which became the first chapter of her later Laura trilogy, won the 2011 chapbook competition of the Traverse City Writers Cooperative Press. She authored more than a dozen books, in addition to the special books she wrote for each of her grandchildren and the ones she was still working on for each of her great-grandchildren. Her love of writing was never just a profession; it was a gift she continued to share with the people she loved.

Joan's creativity extended well beyond writing. For years, she photographed her large and ever-growing family, capturing everything from annual New Year's Eve festivities to summer celebrations. She lovingly compiled these photographs into albums, preserving not only the pictures but also every letter and treasured keepsake her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren sent her. She never seemed to tire of a beautiful sunset, capturing them through her photography and turning her favorite images into greeting cards for friends and family. Joan had a special way of making ordinary moments last forever.

Above all her professional and creative accomplishments, Joan was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her grandchildren called her “Moym” or “Moyf,” nicknames that began with an endearing greeting she coined on a birthday card to them. Summers found her tending the garden, puttering around the cabin, or in the kitchen making her famous seven-layer bars and ensuring everyone was well-fed with Michigan sweet corn and the perfect salads. Come winter, she would dress up in costume alongside the rest of the family, twirl across the dance floor to a Frank Sinatra song with Neill, and pose for pictures in front of the biggest Christmas tree you had ever seen.

Joan was a woman whose friendships spanned generations, a testament to the kindness, generosity, and love she shared with others. She fiercely championed her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always wanting the very best for them, even when it meant putting their needs ahead of her own. She was a powerhouse in a golf polo, a woman of remarkable determination, boundless creativity, and deep devotion to her family.

Joan is survived by her daughters, Cynthia Schmeichel, Susan Schmeichel, Karen Johnson (Gregg Johnson), Kristen Rice (Michael Rice), and daughter-in-law Paula Schmeichel (Kevin Rutherford) along with her beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband, Neill Schmeichel, her son Scott Schmeichel, her siblings, Franklin Pierce Jr., Margaret Pierce-

Buttorff, Robert Pierce and Irene Pierce. They find comfort in knowing she is reunited with Neill, her husband of 70 years, and her son, Scott. Her family shares in that joy, even as they deeply miss their loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.

A gathering of family and friends will take place at 10:00 am to be followed by a Celebration of Life from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday, November 7th at AmVet Post 114, 410 Bridge Street, Elk Rapids, MI 49629.

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com