Maxine L. Bolt

Like an empty journal page, we all make a fresh start each day and how we choose to spend our time is up to each individual person. Maxine Bolt was a woman who filled her days with blessings for the world around her. She was a woman with a steadfast faith that served not only as the melody in her song, but also as her shelter from the storms of life. Maxine courageously faced whatever life brought her, and her quiet strength will be among the attributes she will be most remembered for. With her tender heart and nurturing spirit, Maxine had a special place in her heart for those in need, but it was her family who always held the most prominent place in her heart. Times were remarkably different in America during the year 1917. Our nation entered the First World War that year and it was also the year that deadly tornadoes killed 211 in the Midwest, the first woman joined the House of Representatives, and race riots made headlines in newspapers across the nation. There was much to celebrate, however, for the family of Herman and Katherine (Kempf) Zerlaut since they welcomed their daughter, Maxine, into their hearts and home on July 4th of that year. Born in Newaygo County, Maxine was the second of five children in her family including her older brother, Lavern, and her younger siblings Walter, Doris, and Donna. While her mother and father fought to keep the farm during the Great Depression, Maxine played an important part by raising her siblings. Maxine was raised in the Methodist faith and attended local schools. After graduating from Fremont High School, Maxine went on to graduate from Muskegon Business College. Not long after finishing her schooling, she secured employment in the payroll department at Consumers Power Company. Life would never be the same for Maxine after she met the man with whom she would pen a captivating love story. His name was Lawrence Bub Bolt and they met at work. As the story goes, Bub was called to serve during WWII. Once his duty to his country was fulfilled, he came home and took a job at Consumers Power. There, he met Maxine and it was love at first sight! He married his sweetheart on October 19, 1946. With countless servicemen returning from overseas, the late forties saw the beginning of the baby boom generation that continued into the mid-sixties. Maxine and Bub were overjoyed to welcome three children into their hearts and home: Stan in 1949, Sandra in 1953, and Sally in 1955. Their first home was an apartment on McCracken Street in Muskegon but as their family grew, they soon moved to a new home in the village of Fruitport where Maxine remained throughout most of her life. The children all attended Fruitport Schools and in addition to running the household, Maxine did in-home daycare and even took in laundry in order to help make ends meet. Their family attended Bethel Baptist Church of Fruitport where Maxine was an active member well into her sunset years. Her family appreciated her superb cooking skills and everyone was always well fed. Maxine was known for both her fried chicken and her bread and butter pickles. Throughout her life, Maxine was close with her parents and when Maxines father died in March of 1955, the family all pitched in to help Maxines mother run the farm. Although Maxine was certainly busy with her many responsibilities, her devotion to her family never wavered. There were fun-filled museum trips to Chicago and Saturday evening movies at home, complete with popcorn. They were a one car family, but still managed to get where they needed to go, and they were close with all their neighbors, too, including the Rollenhagens, the Aftons, the Clevelands, and the Pouch's. Maxine had a tender heart towards animals, and she instilled within her children not only respect towards animals, but also a concern for the welfare of all animals. Their dogs were like members of the family including Troubles, Margie, Duke, Monique, and Puffer. When Maxines mother needed additional care, she moved in with Maxine and Bub in 1974. Maxine was deeply saddened with the death of her mother in 1978. After Bub retired in 1976, both he and Maxine did census work on farms for the State of Michigan. When Bub died unexpectedly when he was just 72, Maxine learned to adjust to living on her own over the weeks and months following his death. She continued to be active in her church and also enjoyed teaching Child Evangelism Fellowship. She owned a house cleaning business and also worked at the Fruitport Driving Range. In 2002, she sold the home she raised her family in and moved to Lloyds Bayou in Spring Lake. As her health declined, she moved to Kentwood in order to be near her daughter, Sally, in 2008. With a life that spanned times of great changes in the world around her, Maxine Bolt maintained a contended heart and a spirit of happiness in everything she did. She was a righteous woman with an abiding faith that accompanied her throughout her lifes journey. Maxine worked hard at whatever task was before her and lived to care for the family she viewed as her greatest treasure. Generous, fun-loving, and compassionate, Maxine will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. Maxine Bolt died on Saturday, December 11, 2010. Maxines family includes her son, Stan (Everel) Bolt of Morrice, MI; daughters, Sandra Bolt of WA, Sally (Tom) Kleinhans of Grand Rapids; brother, Walter Zerlaut of Grand Haven; sister, Doris Mulder of Spring Lake; several nieces & nephews. Maxine was preceded in death by her husband Lawrence "Bub"; brother, Lavern Zerlaut, and sister, Donna Dornbos. Services will be held on Friday, December 17, 2010, 11:00 a.m. at Bethel Baptist Church of Fruitport with Rev. Stephen Worth officiating. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to Bethel Baptist Church or the Humane Society and Animal Rescue of Muskegon.