Mary Venema Smith

Mary Venema Smith of Cass City, age 92, entered Heaven's gates on Saturday, August 14, 2021. Mary was born December 7, 1928 in Lowell, the daughter of the late Clarence & Edith (deJong) Venema. She grew up in Lowell and Fallasburg until moving to Saginaw as a teenager. Mary graduated from Arthur Hill High School with the class of 1947 and was united in marriage with Richard E. Smith on December 18, 1948. Mary worked at Bay Pipeline in Saginaw and served for several years as a secretary to the superintendent of Cass City Schools before committing her life to caring for family and more than thirty-six foster children. She was hardworking and worked alongside her husband, Richard, renovating homes, and enjoyed gardening, canning, and tending to her children and animals. She loved kids and had an ability to make lasting connections with them. Above all, Mary loved Jesus and accepted Him as her Savior at a young age. She attended Hillside Assembly and Calvary Chapel Fellowship in Vassar and lived her faith and listened to Christian radio constantly. Left to cherish her memory are four children, Thomas R. Smith (Julie Dobos) of Auburn, Karen (Carl) Cox of Melbourne, Florida, Kaye (Joe) Graham of Cass City, Carolyn (Craig) Sorenson of Cass City; nine grandchildren, Kevin Hollosy of Sebewaing, Perry (Tracey) Moore of Cass City, Kathrine Graham (John Kimball) of Kingsley, William (Carolynn) Graham of Reese, Susanna Graham of Lambertville, Francisca (Robert) Riley of Melbourne, Florida, Joshua Sorenson of Cass City, Jared (Kassy) Sorenson of Cass City, Justin (Lynzie) Sorenson of Vassar, Caitlin (Ryan) Grimshaw of Clarkston; twenty-seven great-grandchildren with twin great-granddaughters expected shortly; five great-great-grandchildren with another expected; one sister, Gertrude Hendrick of Bay City; and many nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mary was preceded in death by her husband, Richard E. Smith; granddaughter, Stephanie Hollosy; seven siblings, Genevieve Simington, Maynard Venema, Sylvia Heilborn, Fred Venema, Peter Venema, Jeanette Vernon, and Margaret Gaus. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 20, 2021 at Colwood Church in Caro with Pastor Anthony Jacobs officiating. Burial will follow the luncheon at Hillside Cemetery in Cass City. Mary's family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorials to the Deford Christian Academy. Pallbearers for Mary will be Joshua, Jared, Justin Sorenson, William Graham, Ryan Grimshaw and honorary pallbearers, Isaac, Ian, and Owen Sorenson. Visitation Information Date: Thursday, August 19, 2021 Time: 4:00 pm End Time: 8:00 pm Ransford Collon Funeral Home Address: 989-673-2175 | Map Mary's family will be present to receive friends at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro on Thursday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Friday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 11:00 a.m. Service Information Date: Friday, August 20, 2021 Time: 11:00 am Colwood Church Address: 1840 N. Colwood Road Caro, MI 48723 989-673-3274 | Map Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 20, 2021 at Colwood Church in Caro with Rev. Anthony Jacobs officiating. Cemetery Information Date: Friday, August 20, 2021 Burial will follow the luncheon at Hillside Cemetery in Cass City.