Henrietta Uminn

Henrietta was born September 15, 1909 one of six children born to Charles and Effie Laning of Kalamazoo. Born in the early twentieth century, she saw many changes in her lifetime that spanned 96 years.

Henrietta and her husband, Walter Uminn, raised 13 children and lived on several farms in Gobles, Paw Paw and Shelbyville, Michigan, as well as in Missouri for a time. She was a hard worker, willing to tackle any job with determination. No doubt many have enjoyed her account of her first experience milking a cow! Most of their children were born at home, and shortly thereafter she'd be back in the kitchen preparing supper for her growing family. When her husband passed away in 1963, she worked hard to care and provide for their children still at home.

She had a quick smile, spunk and lots of energy! She had many interests and kept busy helping others when there was a need, enjoying time with friends and family, attending TOPS Club, watching TV game shows, ordering things from catalogs, and going to church where she often sang in the choir. In the summer, she enjoyed a scenic river tour on the Grand Lady Riverboat where the crew was happy to see her and treated her to popcorn and coffee. (And she loved her coffee!)

Henrietta also loved to send cards and letters-many to family members, neighbors and church friends. Being a friendly person, some were written to people she had met only once-a beautician she liked or a helpful cashier at the grocery store. If she could get their address, they would get a letter! She wrote hundreds of cards and letters usually decorated with colorful stickers. Often she tucked in a 2-dollar bill, which became her special "trademark" over the years.

Her warm smile and spunky disposition touched the hearts of those that came to see her at Lakeview Continuing Care Center, where she moved to in 2000. There she enjoyed bingo, bowling, fishing, and parties. Staff members often stopped by her room to help themselves to her candy basket, to visit or to listen to her sing. Her faith in the Lord was important to her and she found great comfort in the old hymns-which she sang from memory and from her heart. When asked how she was feeling, she would smile and say, "With my fingers!" And when anyone said "I love you, mom," she would reply "A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck."

Henrietta was a very special person and her life touched so many. She will always be greatly loved and missed, and we're glad she was part of our lives!

Henrietta Uminn, age 96 of Lawton, went home to her Lord on September 25, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband, Walter Uminn, Sr.; her infant daughter, Effie; her daughter, Francis Van Buskirk; her infant son, Christopher, her sister, Geraldine Taylor, and her brothers, Gerald, Henry, and Chris Laning. She is survived by her children: Charmaine (Bill) Heerlyn, Rose Marie Pell, Walter Uminn Jr., Eleanor (Jim) Morrison, Chuck (Sharon) Uminn, John (Donna) Uminn, Anna Cowper, Ed (Gail) Uminn, Louie (Suzette) Uminn, Marion (Dennis) Foote, Tom (Jan) Uminn and Bill Uminn; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, her sister Marion (Bill) Walker, her sister-in-law Lois Laning and many nieces and nephews.

Visit with Henrietta's family and friends on Thursday, September 29, from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at RDMG Life Story Funeral Home, Portage Chapel, 5975 Lovers Lane, where funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Please visit Henrietta's memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation.