This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: GESMUNDO, OTIS, ERWAY, LYONS, FERGUSON, RICE Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/25867/mb.ashx Message Board Post: GESMUNDO, MARIAN "Midge" Of Gull Lake, MI and North Fort Myers, Florida Passed away peacefully on Friday, February 19, 2010, at her home on Gull Lake, MI. Marian "Midge" was born September 12, 1918, on the family farm near Hastings, MI, the daughter of Louis and Nina (Otis) Erway. On December 26, 1940, she was married to Serafino (Gus) Gesmundo. They met and performed together in circus aerial acts in the late 1930's. After World War II, Marian and Gus became part owners of Erway's Home Bakery on Davis Street in Kalamazoo. They moved from Davis Street to a cottage on Gull Lake in 1948. They established Serafino's Party Store in Richland, in 1961, which they owned and operated until retirement in 1980. Marian was a fun-loving, spirited woman and a devoted wife and mother committed to her large family of 11 children. She said her greatest accomplishment was raising and loving her children. "I felt great pride in seeing how they turned out. We never gave up on them even during the trying times and I think they are all pretty wonderful." In Midge's ! home, love was unconditional and freely applied. Her house was always full - cousins came to live with the family; friends of her children and grandchildren were always welcome. Even when the family table was full, space was always made for others. For over 60 years, she enjoyed family gatherings at the lake which continued to grow in size as grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins and friends were added to the mix. The empty lot next to the family home became the gathering place for pot-luck celebrations where Gus and Midge always supplied ice cream cones for dessert, and where fun activities like swimming, skiing, tubing, fishing, volleyball, bocce ball, and others often took place simultaneously. Midge was a member of St. Ann's Catholic Church of Gull Lake and in her younger years served the community through various organizations including the Girl Scouts, United Way, St. Ann's Parish Guild and lay ministry, Marriage Encounter, and the Gull Lake Ambulance Service. S! urviving her are her; six sons, Joseph (Sherry Dueweke) Gesmundo of Ri chland, Jack (Martha) Gesmundo of Delton, Gary (Gayla) Gesmundo of Hickory Corners, John Paul Gesmundo of Portage, James (Barb) Gesmundo of Kalamazoo, and Jay (Michele Libbrecht) Gesmundo of Richland; and five daughters, Gail (Jim) Gesmundo-Lyons of Florida, Judah (Paul Raynes) Gesmundo, Maria Gesmundo-Ferguson, Vicki (Mike Marcinek) Gesmundo, and Marymarie (Mark) Rice all of Richland; her brother, Norman (Willie) Erway of Madison, Wisconsin; many nieces and nephews including Victor and Myrna Gesmundo who lived with the family during their high school years; 26 grandchildren; and 36 great grandchildren. Marian was preceded in death by her loving husband, Serafino (Gus); her parents; two infant sons, Joseph and Louis; sister, Betty and brother, Charles. A memorial mass celebration will be held on Friday, March 5th, at 1 PM at St. Ann's Church, Gull Lake, 12648 East D Ave. with a reception following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Borgess VNA & Hospi! ce. 348 N. Burdick St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Arrangements by: PARCHMENT-REDMOND Funeral Home 2300 East G Ave. (269) 349-7735 Published in Kalamazoo Gazette from February 21 to February 28, 2010 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.