Genevieve B. Bemis

Genevieve B. Bemis, age 89 of West Branch, passed away Thursday January 7, 2010 at Bortz Health Care in West Branch. Genevieve returned to West Branch in 1983 upon her retirement from the State University of New York at Binghamton. At the college she was a secretary in the Geological and Environmental Sciences department. There she was considered the “Guardian Angel” often working with department chairpersons and several professors on projects. She was also personal assistant to the founders of then “Harper College”, Dr. and Mrs. Glenn W. Bartle. After returning to West Branch, she was one of the founding members of the Ogemaw County Historical and Genealogical Society. She loved to research history. Her learned knowledge and life experiences made her a great research source for several books about West Branch and surrounding areas. For years you could see her selling cutlery and talking about local history at the historical society’s booth at the Ogemaw County Fair. She was a volunteer at the Hospice of Helping Hands. There she worked in the office and also went to help patients and their families through the most difficult times. Sometimes these patients were also friends. She loved to camp. Many times “Red” and “Scat” would be gone for days, even weeks camping all over Michigan and visiting the various lighthouses along the shores of the Great Lakes. They also spent many days camping in the Pigeon River Forest. She is now with her husband at their eternal campsite. Genevieve is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Rod and Eileen Bemis, granddaughters, Christen (Jason) Roerk, Kimberly Bemis and Erin Bemis, her great-grandson, Keith Roerk and her great-granddaughter, Gabriella Roerk, due in early March, all of Binghamton, New York. Also surviving is her brother, Dan Benjamin of Rose City, her sister Betty Richardson of West Branch and several nieces, nephews and numerous friends. She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Keith “Red” Bemis, her parents Edward and Eva Benjamin and her sisters, Thelma Nollsch, Emma McGowan and her brother Frank Benjamin. Visitation at the Steuernol & McLaren Funeral Home in West Branch will begin on Friday, January 15, 2010 from 6-9 p.m. The Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday at the funeral home. Pastor Lisa Cook will officiate. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made sent to the Ogemaw County Historical and Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 734, West Branch or to Hospice of Helping Hands, 335 E. Houghton Ave. West Branch, MI 48661.