Lois Bransdorfer

       Lois Bransdorfer, age 97, of St. Louis, Michigan passed away Saturday, February 15, 2025, at White Oaks Retirement Community, Lawton, Michigan.
     Funeral Services will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, MI, at 2:00 P.M. on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Visitation will be held from 12:00 P.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Oak Grove Cemetery, St. Louis, Michigan at a later date.
      Lois was born in Saginaw, Michigan on June 17, 1927, the daughter of Maurice Leonard and Minnie (Cooper) Saul. She loved classical music and was the Concert Master (1st Violinist) of the orchestra during her years at North Intermediate and Arthur Hill High School. After graduating in 1946, she went to Michigan State College (MSU) and graduated in 1949, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish.
      Lois worked at Hoyt Public Library in Saginaw from 1949-1951. Lois met Arnie at Michigan State during their senior year and they married on June 17, 1951, in Saginaw. They started raising their family of six children in Lansing and then settled in St. Louis in 1956. Lois was a devoted wife and supported her husband Arnie’s interests during their 59 years of marriage. One of Lois’; goals in life were that all of her children got a chance to go to college. This goal was inspired by her own father who sent four children to college after World War II. Her children and grandchildren were a great source of pride to her.
      Lois loved words, jokes, limericks, and played a lot of Scrabble. She was a stickler for correct spelling and pronunciation. She inherited an infectious sense of humor and laughing with friends and family was a significant part of her life. Lois worked at the Cutler Memorial Library from 1972-1997. She loved working there and met many interesting people during those years. Her favorite section of the library was the children’s section.
      Lois loved cooking for her family and friends. She was known for her chicken soup which had the reputation of & “curing anything that ails you”. Her ginger cookies were also quite famous. Lois was a longtime member of Temple Benjamin in Mt. Pleasant, Michigan. She was an involved member of St. Louis Child Study Club and St. Louis Monday Club, where she made many lifelong friends in town. She held the offices of President and Vice President in both organizations. She was active in several charities including March of Dimes, American Cancer Society and Arthritis Foundation and was always a willing volunteer when knocking on neighbors’ doors was needed.
      Lois is survived by her five children: Raye (Tom) Bransdorfer-Polasek of Paw Paw, MI; Maurice (Robin) Bransdorfer of Plymouth, NH; Joel Bransdorfer of Ormond Beach,FL; Rodney (Sophie Andarovna) Bransdorfer of Lansing, MI; and Stephanie Bransdorfer of Traverse City, MI. She is also survived by daughter-in-law Tamara Stein; four grandchildren: Vita (Reid) Benson, Zachary Polasek, Hailey Bransdorfer, and Leah (Evan) Zapolski; three great-granddaughters: Maya Benson, Macy Benson, and Natalie Zapolski; sister Sally Levinsohn, sister-in-law Peggy Bransdorfer; and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Arnie, son Harold Bransdorfer and siblings: Herb Saul and Iris Goldberg.
      In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Theodore Austin Cutler Memorial Library, 312 Michigan Avenue, St. Louis, MI 48880. Online condolences may be made at www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.