Erma "Bea" Schmidt

Erma “Bea” Schmidt

Age 95, of Northville, passed away on April 5, 2021. She was born June 23, 1925 in Edinburgh, Indiana; daughter of Arthur A. and Erma M. (nee Stanley) Nelson.  Erma, also known as Bea, was united in marriage to Louis Schmidt, who served as a 1 ^st Lieutenant in the U.S. Army assigned to 442 Battalion during World War II, on July 9, 1949. The were dedicated to each other and their family for over 61 years until his death in 2010.

In the 50’s and 60’s Erma worked as a Medical Records Clerk at Dearborn Medical Center and changed careers in 1966 when she went to work for the John Hancock Insurance Company as an Insurance Approver. She made so many lasting friendships with her coworkers at John Hancock. She moved from Michigan to Florida after retiring in 1979 enjoying endless sunshine. She lived in both Palm Harbor, Florida and Boca Raton, Florida. Moving back to Michigan in 2010 after her husband passed away, she found loads of happiness at Independence Village in Plymouth where she lived for 5 years. Erma lived with her daughter in Northville for the last 6 years.

Erma was an advanced bowler and in her prime was the youngest member of the Woman’s Bowling Association. She bowled with friends on a league every Tuesday night and had many date nights with her husband at the bowling alley. Erma also enjoyed golfing and was an avid reader who loved utilizing the library. She was quite the tap dancer and performed for her family at many celebrations. She appreciated the tradition of family dinner at 5pm; she would spend the day before choosing the meals and the day of prepping the meals. Some of the family’s favorites were chili, spaghetti, and porcupine balls. She put her heart into planning and cooking family dinners. During the last 5 years she made a special “Mothers Oats” breakfast for her daughter and sometimes her granddaughter. Erma’s granddaughter, Mona, had a weekly dinner date and cherished the time spent together. She and her #1 friend, Dr. David Pommerening, talked daily and had a special bond and companionship. Bea dearly loved everyone, especially her family and personal friends. She was an immensely proud and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Erma is survived by her children, Dorothy “Dory” Schmidt and Louis (Judy Gillispie) Schmidt; her grandchildren, Mona (Derek) Bezaire, Ryan Schmidt, and Kendall (Buddy Connor) Schmidt; and her great grandchildren, Samantha (C.J. Stremich) Brossard, Stephen (Dominique Hunter) Brossard, and Sean Brossard. She will be sadly missed by Dr. David Pommerening and all dear family members of Robert and Dee Schmidt as well as Barbara Marie LaPierre. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister Dorothy Soronen.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 22 from 5-8pm at Casterline Funeral Home, 122 West Dunlap, Northville. A funeral mass will be celebrated on Friday, April 23 at 11am at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 133 Orchard, Northville. Erma will be laid to rest at Holy Sepulchre Catholic Cemetery in Southfield.

Memorial contributions would be appreciated to the Paralyzed Veterans of America , PO Box 758589, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8589 or the Wounded Warriors Project , PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516. Erma wanted to support the purchase of motorized wheelchairs for veterans, each wheelchair costs $25,000.