Luella Marie (Gerou) Maskart, age 101, of Gladstone passed away on Thursday, April 1, 2021 at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone.
Luella was born December 20, 1919 in Perkins, the daughter of David and Josephine (LeDuc) Gerou. She was raised in Perkins and graduated from Perkins High School as their Salutatorian. As a youth, Luella was in 4-H for 10 plus years and this is where she learned to sew. She became and expert seamstress and designer. This was a great asset when, at the age of 48, she got her Social Security card and opened the Regal Bridal Salon in Gladstone and then Escanaba. Luella loved to ice skate and did so up until the age of 80. She “Ice Waltzed” with Joseph Poluck in her teens. Luella also skied, bowled, played golf, played bridge and did charity work. After she sold her business, she painted in oil and donated numerous pictures to charities in the Delta County area.
Luella was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Gladstone for over 80 years. In her past, Luella was a long time member of Gladstone Golf Club, where at the age of 80 years old, she had a Hole-In-One, a long time member of the Gladstone Yacht Club, 25 year member of Child’s Welfare until it dissolved, the Red Hat Society, the Bay Sages of Escanaba and two ladies Bridge Clubs that lasted over 50 years. She was their sole survivor.
In the last few years, she resided at Lakeview Assisted Living in Gladstone, which she loved. She appreciated the kindness and care of the entire staff, especially the owner, Daryl Miron. She will be remembered for her stylish dress, her positive attitude, her upbeat personality, her religious devotion and charity and of course , her hankies. Everyone knows that she loved hankies. She always had one in her hand or pocket. She collected them and passed them out to her daughters, granddaughters, great granddaughters and other family and friends.
Luella is survived by her children, Douglas (Joyce) Maskart of Santa Barbara, CA, Cherie (Robert) Winchester of Grand Rapids, MI, Diane (Scott) Apelgren of Rochester, MN and David (Paula) Maskart of Gladstone; 10 grandchildren, Robert (Jennifer) Winchester, Jr, Renee (David) Dowdy, Bradley (Stacey) Apelgren, Matthew (Tracy) Maskart, Danielle Sterling, Leah (Daryl) Miron, Dana (Jeremy) Wright, Mark (Stephanie) Maskart, Aaron Maskart, and Natanya Maskart; 18 great grandchildren, Carson and Kate Winchester, Lauren, Lindsey and Luke Dowdy, Wyatt, Nolan and Everleigh Apelgren, Clara, Owen and Garritt Maskart, Blake and Allison Lesneski, Taylor and Maelle Wright and Cooper, Camden and Brooks Maskart and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Rene, her parents and 16 brothers and sisters, Walter, Arthur, Alvina Robitaille, Ethel Michaels, I’one, Earl, Eileen Roche, Bessie Gerou, Lucille Gerou, Lillian Blossom, Gladys Finkbinder, Wallace, Kenneth, Stanley, Douglas and Timothy.
The family will receive friends on Friday, April 9 from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone. Mass of Christian Burial will be at 1:00 PM at All Saints Catholic Church. Luella will be laid to rest in the Fernwood Cemetery.
Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Masks and social distancing are required at the funeral home and All Saints Catholic Church.
Linda LAncour yagodzinski - Escanaba , Mi
Cherie &Bob,
My deepest condolences on the death of your mom. I always will remember her as beautiful and vivacious. Having lost my mother almost 2 years ago I know this is a difficult passing. I have said a prayer for your family. I think both of our moms left us a legacy of love and longevity.
Teresa Glasscock - Gladstone , Mi
I had the pleasure of getting to know Louella over a period of several years when she became a customer in my nail salon. What a joy to share those times with this sweet lady. She shared many stories with me…we would laugh and talk and sometimes we would” agree to disagree.” She would always leave with smile and hug for me. And, I am the proud recipient of one of her beautiful hankies! A wonderful lady who had a wonderful life. She will be missed by all who knew her.
Teresa Glasscock
Judith and David Gereau - Escanaba, MI
David and I wish to extend our sincere condolences at your mother’s passing. My mother passed 14 years now on Christmas and it is still hard!! But thank goodness that time marches on! Take care and you and your family are in our prayers and thoughts. Take Care!
GAREY HOLLAND - ESCANABA, MI
Our deepest condolences to all of our cousins on the loss of your Mom and Grandmother. She was very special to all of us, but especially to those who had the honor of sharing that heritage from David and Josephine Giroux(Gerou) Family. Aunt Luella was the last of the family to pass on her families values and love that she shared with all of us. Doug, Cherie, Diane, and David you all were “the pride of her life”, as I saw many times the smile and love that beamed from her when ever she talked about you. Aunt Luella was a blessing that we all were fortunate to have shared during our brief time of our lives. Her memory will live on in the hearts of anyone that had the privilege to have known her.
Bill and Vicki Lenca - Menominee, Mi
Cheri, Bob and family
We are so sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing. She was such an amazing woman with so many accomplishments. Your family was so blessed to have such a wonderful example for many generations of your family.
God Bless
Bill and Vicki Lenca
Patsy & Lester Duncan - Cornell, MI
Dearest Diane, Cherie, David, and families
We wish to express our sympathy and prayers during this heartfelt, emotional loss of your mother. Even though years fly by us, there is always that deep sense of loss and heartache with the passing of a loved one.
As we remember your wonderful mother, we look back on a life well-lived. Even in your sorrow, take comfort that she is at home in God’s Kingdom of Heaven with your father and family.
Diane, while growing up in the old Buckeye, I reminisce about our childhood together. The times we played out in the yard with our Tiny Tears dolls that we both got for Christmas one year. The one memory that really stands out is the time we made “goosh-gosh” out of flour, eggs (whatever we found from each other’s houses) in David’s wagon. I understand why David was so upset, as we sure created a mess! Your mother must have had to clean the wagon, and what is more remarkable, I don’t recall that we were scolded or were in a lot of trouble for our mischief. We were lucky that your mother was forgiving and patient with us.
When you are sad, always remember that someone as special as a mother is never gone from this world. Perhaps you may still see her smile in your mirror; her voice singing with the birds in your hearts.
My dear friend, “Gree-Gree”, my heart goes out to you and your family. Sending our LOVE….
May God Bless
With Love,
Patsy & Lester Duncan