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Margaret Jean Culp Schmidtendorff, 93, of Sturgis, formerly of Donnell Lake, left the arms of her loving family to go home to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ on Wednesday, May 22, 2013.
Margaret was born April 4, 1920, in Van Buren Township, Mich., to Claude and Lena (Becker) Brooks. She lived in Lawton in her younger years, helping on her parents’ farm and vineyard. She graduated from Lawton High School in 1937.
In 1938, Margaret married Edgar Lamar Culp. She and Edgar were blessed with three children and eight grandchildren to whom she was devoted. He preceded her in death in 1984 after 46 years of marriage.
Margaret later married Orley Schmidtendorff. He preceded her in death in 2003 after 19 years of marriage. In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by one daughter-in-law, Christine Purlee; and one brother, Gerald Gilbert Brooks.
Margaret was devoted to her grandchildren, who enjoyed frequent trips to Grandma’s. She has stated that the thing that brought her the most joy in this life were her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed sewing, making many handmade items for her family, and volunteering for the Sturgis Hospital auxiliary.
She cared for her elderly mother for 15 years.
Margaret loved going to church, singing in the choir, traveling, being with friends and good food. She was a wonderful cook and hosted many social and family gatherings in her home. She was a lovely and distinguished lady who loved the Lord with all of her heart and raised her family to do the same.
Margaret will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is survived by two daughters, JoAnne (Kenneth) Purlee of Burr Oak, and Patricia (Bertel) Anderson of Sturgis; one son, Jerry (Karen) Culp of Portage; eight grandchildren, Ann (Tom) Darrington of Burr Oak, Greg (Nancy) Purlee of Howe, Ind., Debbie (Kevin) McGowan of Portage, Paul (Jennifer) Smith of Sturgis, Melissa (Randy) Troyer of LaGrange, Ind., Kenneth Smith of Sturgis, Jared (Elizabeth) Smith of Sturgis, Bret Anderson of Sturgis; 17 great grandchildren; and one great-great-grandson.
The family will observe a private remembrance. Mrs. Schmidtendorff’s remains will be laid to rest beside those of her first husband, Edgar Lamar Culp, in Poe Cemetery in Newberg Township.
The family prefers memorial contributions to Pleasant View Church of Christ, 60550 Crooked Creek Road, Cassopolis, Mich., 49031 or Colon Church of Christ, 107 Broadway Street, Colon, Mich., 49040.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Connelly Chapel Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis. Please share a memory or a message online at wagnercares.com.
