Maude Elizabeth Bidwell, 87, of Bronson, passed away at home on Thursday, August 6, 2020, surrounded by family, under the care of Elara Caring Hospice.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. The family is being served by Lighthouse Funeral & Cremation of Union City.
Maude was born August 19, 1932 in Charlevoix, Michigan to Stephen and Mildred (Emmons) Emans. She graduated from Charlevoix High School in 1950. She was a waitress in Tecumseh, where she met her husband, Leland Bidwell, whom she married on March 26, 1955 in Angola, Indiana. They moved to the Coldwater, Michigan area and she continued to waitress at Gracie O’Shanahan’s, then went to work at the Coldwater State Home, from which she retired.
Maude attended the First Baptist Church of Bronson and was a 4-H leader for 10 years. She was a “memaw” and “gg” to many children – they were the light of her life. When her husband passed, she moved in with her daughter and family in 2004, where she loved the flower beds of roses planted for her and the chaotic life of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was especially proud of her sons and family of veterans, and watching her grandchildren grow into adulthood and start their lives. She was never without a child on her lap for reading and cuddles. She loved her family and her little dog, Bitty. She will be sorely missed.
Survivors include Maude’s children, Leora (Don) Bull, Dianna (Tony) Hubbard, LeaAnn Moore, Norman (Deb) Bidwell and Kelly (Don Latimer) Hall; 22 grandchildren; 36 great-grandchildren; 12 great-great-grandchildren; special nieces and nephews: John, Cathy & families and Chantel, Rick, Eric & families; and special family Alice (Ricardo) Munoz, Kim (Sam) Van Horn & family, Kitty (Glen) Spencer, Linda Collins & the Jason Hower Family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Stephen and Mildred Emans; twin sons, Paul and William; a son, Floyd Bidwell; grandson Brandon Bull; granddaughter Mariea Moore; great-great-grandson Logan St. Cin; her brothers: Robert and William Ford and Edwin, James and Neldin Emans; brother-in-law Norman Bidwell and son-in-law, Jr. Moore.
Memorial donations are suggested to the First Baptist Church, 140 Buchanan Street, Bronson, MI 49028.
