Eva R. Lemert

A dynamic professional business woman, Eva R. Lemert, 97, and lifetime Plymouth resident, has died. Eva, who drove a pink Cadillac with the license plate, “Foxy Lady,” died of natural causes, on 2:10 p.m. on Friday, July 13, 2001. In failing health for the past eight years, she died in Pilgrim Manor Nursing Home, 222 Parkview Drive, Plymouth. Born on the family homestead on 11th Rd., Plymouth, Eva was the daughter of William H. and Nancy V. Bowell Reed. She attended Inwood grade schools, graduating from Lincoln high school in Plymouth in 1920. On Oct. 9, 1920, Eva and Loren E. Lemert were married in Plymouth. Loren died on Dec. 13, 1962. After she was married, Eva worked in the first Montgomery Ward Store for a salary of $12 for a sixty hour week. Later she worked in the Recorder’s office in the Court House. She and her spouse owned and operated the Marshall County Sale Barn-Livestock Auctions north of Plymouth. They were also agents for John Deere Farm Equipment and operated Oldsmobile Cadillac Sales and Service from 1942 through 1950. In 1948, she confidently ran the Lemert Engineering firm with her spouse until his death, continuing as president of the company until her retirement in 1986. Some of the innovative products developed by Lemert Engineering were: Sea Trim Afterplanes, Airflex Riveters, Selectrol Water Injection System and the Level Air Shock Absorbers. She was a horsewoman and the first secretary of the Marshall County Horse Association, serving for six years. She showed horses in the Three and five Gaited as well as the Five Harness Classes in Plymouth and throughout the state. Eva was a past matron of the Eastern Star #26 and Past Mother Advisor of Rainbow Girls, serving many additional years as Advisor. She was a Past Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a member of Business and Professional Women, Marshall county Historical Society, a member of the Farm Bureau and the Chamber of Commerce and was written up in “Who’s Who.” Eva loved traveling and fishing with her family in Canada and Florida. She is survived by two daughters: Bonita M. Gehring, Plymouth, and Sue E. and Mike Gill, Warsaw. Six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren also survive. In addition to her parents and her husband, Eva was preceded in death by a brother, James Reed and a sister, Helen Stockman. Visitation with her family in a celebration of Eva’s remarkable life will be on Monday, July 16, 2001, from noon to 2 p.m. in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. An Eastern Star Service will follow visitation at 1:45 p.m. and the funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. The Rev. Father John Schramm, pastor of St. Thomas Episcopal Church of which she was a lifetime member, will officiate. Burial will be in Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth. Memorials in Eva’s memory may be made to St. Thomas Church or to a charity of the donor’s choice.