Deloris Smith

Deloris Smith was a woman who loved her family, who had been strengthened by adversity, and who knew what hard work was all about. She had a generous spirit and loved to give of her time and talents, especially when it came to her children and grandchildren. Deloris did many things in her life, all of which shaped her into the person her family and friends loved dearly. 1931 found most of the United States deep in the Great Depression. Many people were without jobs and life was very difficult. James Lawrence Mjovig and his wife, Cora (Olson), of McIntosh, Minnesota, were among the lucky few. Lawrence was a farmer on his familys farm while Cora had earlier taught in a one-room schoolhouse in their community. Despite the economic hardships of the era, the couple had something wonderful to focus on, the impending arrival of their first child. On June 25, 1931, Lawrence and Cora delighted in the birth of their daughter, Deloris Eunice, who was born at home on the farm. The Mjovig household would eventually bustle with the busyness of six children: Deloris, Jordis, LeRoy, Raymond, Janice and Eloise. Deloriss family was proud of their Norwegian heritage, and raised the children with an awareness and appreciation of their history. They spoke only Norwegian at home, though the children learned English for school. In 1941, the Mjovigs moved to Muskegon, Michigan, where Deloris would complete her education at Nelson Elementary and Muskegon High School. She was a good student who loved to read, and would often stay up late just to finish a book. Her family was members of the Lutheran faith, in which Deloris was baptized. She was confirmed in the Olivet Evangelical Church in Muskegon, but her family later went back to their Lutheran faith and attended Samuel Lutheran Church. After graduating Muskegon High in 1949, Deloris went to work in bookkeeping, something she was very good at. Her first job was with Jones Electric, but she also worked for Norge, Grossmans and AAA over the years. During this time, Deloris also began dating a young man named Tom McCann, who she knew from the neighborhood. The two enjoyed going to the movies with their friends, and their friendship soon turned to romance. Deloris and Tom were married on June 5, 1954, at Samuel Lutheran Church. The newlyweds settled into married life together in an apartment on Apple Avenue. They werent there long before moving to an upstairs apartment at Deloriss parents home on Merrill Avenue. It was here the couple welcomed the birth of their son, David, in 1957. Sadly, their marriage ended in divorce a year later. In 1961, while still working at AAA, Deloris met Paul G. Smith, a claims adjuster. He was very fond of Deloris and asked her out many times. Deloris, however, wasnt really interested in dating yet; she simply enjoyed going to the movies or bowling with her girlfriends. Paul didnt give up easily and after much persistence eventually won Deloriss heart. They were happily married on July 28, 1962, at her church, and settled into their first home together on Southern Avenue. A year later, Deloris and Paul welcomed the birth of their first child, son Jay, who was joined in 1964 by their daughter, Melissa, and in 1966, by their son, Carl. After the children arrived, Deloris stopped working in order to devote herself to the role of a mother. She was also an excellent seamstress and made many of their clothes along with doll clothes and beautiful quilts. Time together as a family was always important, and they took many opportunities to go camping and they visited relatives in Detroit and Minnesota whenever possible. Tragically, Deloriss lost her beloved husband, Paul, in 1972, when he fell off the roof and died. A single mom and sole provider, Deloris soon went to work part-time as a bookkeeper at Sears, which turned to full-time as the kids got older. Although providing for her family was important, Deloris was always attentive and active in her childrens lives. From school activities and sports to being a Cub Scout den mother, her passion was to support her family. Because Deloris didnt like to fly, they took several road trips in their station wagon to Niagara Falls and another quite memorable trip in a motor home up and around the Upper Peninsula and Lake Michigan. After her children were grown and on their own, Deloris enjoyed finding some new hobbies for herself. She became involved with the Sons of Norway, where she ran bingo for 20 years and took care of renting the building, and served as secretary. She also became a member of the Norwegian Dancers, who performed folk dances at special events. During the summer, Deloris loved to go with her sisters, Jan and Ellie, to their cottage on Stony Lake and spend time together, and enjoy fish dinners at the Stony Lake Tavern. Deloris so loved the fresh air and serenity here, and she often slept in the glider on the open front porch. Deloris was known to be very frugal-minded and a big saver, but she was always the first to offer help to any of her loved ones. One thing that Deloris did splurge on was dolls, which she loved to collect. For several years, she had been collecting Barbies and kept very detailed records on each of them. Above all else, Deloris loved being a mother and grandmother to the people who brought her life extraordinary joy. There wasnt a baby that she didnt like, especially when it came to her grandbabies. Deloris was prouder than peaches of all her grandchildren, and played an active role in their lives as well. Unfortunately, in the last several years, Deloris health had been declining, and after suffering a stroke, she went to live in a nursing home, where she could get the care she needed. She passed away here on Friday, December 28, 2007. When a loved on e is lost, memories of their time together are like treasures. Family and friends will carry the treasure of Deloris Smith with them always. Deloris is survived by her daughter, Melissa D. Kuziak; sons: Jay D. Smith and Carl & Ruth Smith; grandchildren: Coralie & Jamie Kuziak and Mitchell & Christopher Smith; sisters: Jordis C. Hutchins, Janice L. Mjovig and Eloise & John Cihos; brothers: LeRoy & Helen Mjovig and Raymond D. Mjovig; sister-in-law, Norma Pender of Port Richey, FL; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Paul, and son, David McCann. Funeral services for Deloris will be held on Monday, December 31, at 1:00 p.m. in Clock Chapel at Clock Life Story Funeral Home in Muskegon, with Rev. William Uetricht officiating. Interment at Lakeside Cemetery. A time of visitation is set aside on Monday, 1 hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sons of Norway or Diabetes Association. Please visit Deloriss memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.