Norma Jean Schmidt

Norma Jean Schmidt, of Portage formerly of Schoolcraft passed away on Friday, January 24, 2020 at the age of 72. Norma will be missed greatly by the family and friends she loved. Norma was the daughter of John and Helen Schmidt. She was a member of the Schoolcraft High School Class of 1965. She later retired from the United States Postal Service. She will be remembered as a very independent woman who loved to go on drives to anywhere, visiting family and friends along the way, and hunting for her much-loved mushrooms. She was the keeper of our family's history through pictures and stories always enjoying the opportunity to reminisce and loved getting together with family for holidays or no reason at all. Her nieces and nephews all agree that she was a fun aunt growing up and would always make us laugh. Her garden and flowers gave her much joy as did watching the 4th of July fireworks, sunsets, her nieces, nephews, friends' children, the countryside, and taking pictures. She was still active in helping with her class reunions and monthly lunches with her retiree friends. She volunteered with Loaves and Fishes, and the Kalamazoo Senior Center driving seniors to get groceries and doctor appointments. She continued to support these charities any way she could through the years. She would tackle any job fearlessly and would always tell us she could do it herself. She did live life to the fullest and would make friends with anyone. Norma is survived by her sisters Joan Stiver and Linda Krum, husband David, nieces and nephews: Debbie Stiver-King, Jeff Stiver, wife Kathy, Darcy Krum-Bolles, husband Eric, Denise Krum, Dean Krum, wife Ashley, Mike Fitzstephens, wife Sandy, Daniel Fitzstephens, Timothy Fitzstephen, David Fitzstephens, Scott Fitzstephens, Melinda Schmidt-Blahik and husband, Rob, and many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Helen and John Schmidt, brother Bernard, sister Joyce Fitzstephens, and brother-in-law Harold (Bob) Stiver, and sister-in-law Thelma Schmidt. Norma has been cremated and a graveside memorial is planned for the spring. Please visit Norma’s webpage at www.mccowensecord.com where you can sign her guestbook and share a memory with the family. Memorials can be made in her name to her favorite charities, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes, and Kalamazoo Senior Services, Inc. The family is being assisted by the McCowen & Secord Funeral Home, Rupert-Durham Chapel, 409 S. Main, Vicksburg, MI 49097 269-649-1697.