Lona Silm

Born on June 26, 1909, Lona Marie Henrietta Silm was the oldest child of Christian and Anna (Rossow) Marten. Lona was born in Riley Township and was baptized into the family of Christ on April 13, 1924. She was a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Lona attended St. Peter Lutheran School and she often shared stories with her grandchildren about traveling to school in a horse and buggy with her siblings Ivah and Norman. Having lived to the age of 101, Lona shared many stories of how things had changed during her ten decades and all who listened were fascinated by her memory and all the details she could share.

On May 16, 1934, Lona married Martin Henry Silm. They lived on the Silm family farm and raised two children Gladys and Charles. Gladys and Charles remember how their parents passed on the Christian faith to them. Their mother Lona “opened her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue [was] the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31.26)

Together they farmed, raising dairy cattle, sheep, hogs, chickens, and field crops. After Martin died on July 8,1965, Lona carried on with the farm “setting about her work vigorously and her arms [were] strong for her tasks”. (Proverbs 31:17) Lona cared for the chickens and sold eggs on a regular egg route for many years. Her children and grandchildren remember her as a hard worker who made the greatest cookies and who was always there for them whenever they needed her. Just as it says in Proverbs 31:30, “[Lona] watche[d] over the affairs of her household and [did] not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed.”

Idle was not a word that anyone would use to describe Lona. She was a member of the St. Peter Ladies Aide helping with funeral dinners and making quilts for many years. She taught Sunday School and helped coordinate Vacation Bible School. Even at the age of 100, she helped Thrivent volunteers to pack treat boxes for St. Peter’s college students at Christmas time. In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, gardening, playing cards, and watching the Price is Right. An avid sports fan, she spent many hours watching and listening to the Michigan State Spartans and the Detroit Tigers. She loved to visit with her children, grandchildren, and friends and was never too busy for them.

After she moved into St. Johns, Lona was a volunteer at the Clinton Memorial Hospital Gift Shop for almost twenty years. She was a conciencouis and responsible volunteer and even showed up for her shifts in incredibly poor winter weather because she knew that the Gift Shop helped to brighten the day for so many patients.

Ever the loving daughters, Lona and her sister, Ivah, cared for their mother, Anna for several years until her death in 1991 at the age of 102.

Lona was a loving grandmother and great-grandmother who enjoyed sharing the in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether it was letting Lynn help her deliver eggs in St. Johns; packing up a U-haul and traveling with Evelyn to North Dakota and Kansas; sorting Halloween candy with Chloe, Michelle & Stephanie; taking walks around the block; attending their school events and college graduations; or playing cards on a quiet evening at home, Grandma Silm touched their lives in unforgettable ways. They often referred to by her as GranJams and G-Mama acknowledging their respect for her strength and leadership.

Lona will be remembered as a faithful Christian who spent time every day with her Lord and reading Portals of Prayer; a faithful and loving family member and friend who always had time to visit; and a peaceful and serene woman who placed her faith in God and didn’t let the cares of the world overwhelm her.

On her last day on earth, Lona told her family and caregivers she was going home – to heaven. While she will be dearly missed by her family and friends, it is with great comfort that they know she is now and for all eternity with her heavenly Father.

Lona is survived by daughter, Gladys (John Ernst) Ruestman, son Charles (Theresa) Silm, all of St. Johns, five grandchildren, Evelyn Peterson, Lynn (Sue Cook) Ruestman, Chloe, Michelle and Stephanie Silm and six great-grandchildren: Ryan and Emily Peterson, Lindsay, Nick, Megan and Alexa Ruestman and sister-in-law Arlene Martens. Lona was preceded in death by her husband Martin, sister Ivah Klueckling, two brothers Norman Marten and an infant brother, and son-in-law Gary Peterson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, October 25, 2010 at St. Peter Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Peter cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6-8 pm and on Sunday from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 East Cass Street, St. Johns, MI. For those wishing to do so, contributions can be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church’s Faith, Family and Forever Fund in Lona’s memory.

Born on June 26, 1909, Lona Marie Henrietta Silm was the oldest child of Christian and Anna (Rossow) Marten. Lona was born in Riley Township and was baptized into the family of Christ on April 13, 1924. She was a lifelong member of St. Peter Lutheran Church.

Lona attended St. Peter Lutheran School and she often shared stories with her grandchildren about traveling to school in a horse and buggy with her siblings Ivah and Norman. Having lived to the age of 101, Lona shared many stories of how things had changed during her ten decades and all who listened were fascinated by her memory and all the details she could share.

On May 16, 1934, Lona married Martin Henry Silm. They lived on the Silm family farm and raised two children Gladys and Charles. Gladys and Charles remember how their parents passed on the Christian faith to them. Their mother Lona “opened her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue [was] the law of kindness” (Proverbs 31.26)

Together they farmed, raising dairy cattle, sheep, hogs, chickens, and field crops. After Martin died on July 8,1965, Lona carried on with the farm “setting about her work vigorously and her arms [were] strong for her tasks”. (Proverbs 31:17) Lona cared for the chickens and sold eggs on a regular egg route for many years. Her children and grandchildren remember her as a hard worker who made the greatest cookies and who was always there for them whenever they needed her. Just as it says in Proverbs 31:30, “[Lona] watche[d] over the affairs of her household and [did] not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed.”

Idle was not a word that anyone would use to describe Lona. She was a member of the St. Peter Ladies Aide helping with funeral dinners and making quilts for many years. She taught Sunday School and helped coordinate Vacation Bible School. Even at the age of 100, she helped Thrivent volunteers to pack treat boxes for St. Peter’s college students at Christmas time. In her leisure time, she enjoyed reading, gardening, playing cards, and watching the Price is Right. An avid sports fan, she spent many hours watching and listening to the Michigan State Spartans and the Detroit Tigers. She loved to visit with her children, grandchildren, and friends and was never too busy for them.

After she moved into St. Johns, Lona was a volunteer at the Clinton Memorial Hospital Gift Shop for almost twenty years. She was a conciencouis and responsible volunteer and even showed up for her shifts in incredibly poor winter weather because she knew that the Gift Shop helped to brighten the day for so many patients.

Ever the loving daughters, Lona and her sister, Ivah, cared for their mother, Anna for several years until her death in 1991 at the age of 102.

Lona was a loving grandmother and great-grandmother who enjoyed sharing the in the lives of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Whether it was letting Lynn help her deliver eggs in St. Johns; packing up a U-haul and traveling with Evelyn to North Dakota and Kansas; sorting Halloween candy with Chloe, Michelle & Stephanie; taking walks around the block; attending their school events and college graduations; or playing cards on a quiet evening at home, Grandma Silm touched their lives in unforgettable ways. They often referred to by her grandchildren as GranJams and G-Mama acknowledging their respect for her strength and leadership.

Lona will be remembered as a faithful Christian who spent time every day with her Lord and reading Portals of Prayer; a faithful and loving family member and friend who always had time to visit; and a peaceful and serene woman who placed her faith in God and didn’t let the cares of the world overwhelm her.

On her last day on earth, Lona told her family and caregivers she was going home – to heaven. While she will be dearly missed by her family and friends, it is with great comfort that they know she is now and for all eternity with her heavenly Father.

Lona is survived by daughter, Gladys (John Ernst) Ruestman, son Charles (Theresa) Silm, all of St. Johns, five grandchildren, Evelyn Peterson, Lynn (Sue Cook) Ruestman, Chloe, Michelle and Stephanie Silm and six great-grandchildren: Ryan and Emily Peterson, Lindsay, Nick, Megan and Alexa Ruestman and sister-in-law Arlene Martens. Lona was preceded in death by her husband Martin, sister Ivah Klueckling, two brothers Norman Marten and an infant brother, and son-in-law Gary Peterson.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, October 25, 2010 at St. Peter Lutheran Church with Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth officiating. Burial will follow at the St. Peter cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6-8 pm and on Sunday from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the Osgood Funeral Home, 104 East Cass Street, St. Johns, MI. For those wishing to do so, contributions can be made to St. Peter Lutheran Church’s Faith, Family and Forever Fund in Lona’s memory.