MISHAWAKA - Louise Margaret Minne, 92, of Ft. Myers, FL passed away Jan. 21, 2018. She was born to the late Edmond F. and Mary C. (Vaerewyck) Smith on September 8, 1925 in Mishawaka, IN.

She married Paul Camiel Minne (the love of her life) on November 8, 1947 in Saint Bavo's Catholic Church in Mishawaka, IN. They were married over 55 years when he passed away in January 2003.

She attended St. Bavo's Grade School and Mishawaka High School in Mishawaka, IN, and Tobias Beauty School in South Bend, IN. When she was younger, she played softball for the Ball-Band, and also played in their plays. While living in Mishawaka, she managed the Scrubbers Club of Saint Bavo's church and also donated her services to all the nuns at the St. Bavo's Convent. She did this until 1972. She ran her own Beauty Shoppe in Mishawaka West End from 1945 to 1972, when she and her husband moved to Florida. Then she managed their Motel & Beauty Shop in Avon Park, FL until 1994, when they sold it and retired to Condo life, and enjoyed their retirement by traveling the country.

She always loved people and helped a lot of them over the years. She enjoyed her children when they were growing up, was always there for them, and never missed a basketball game until they graduated from high school. Her family and friends were her whole life. She was living with her daughter Jackie in Ft. Myers, FL.

She is survived by her three children: 2 sons, Paul (Jean) Minne of White Pigeon, MI and John (Liz) Minne of Tarpley, TX; and daughter, Jacqueline (Jackie) Minne of Ft. Myers, FL; 10 grandchildren: Kevin (Emily) Minne of Woodbridge, VA, Jill Minne of Constantine, MI, Jules (Amy) Minne of Lubbock, TX, John (Liz) Minne of Austin, TX, Ben (Hillary) Minne of Seattle, WA, Barbara (Jason) McDonald of Lehigh, FL, William Craver of Beaver Creek, OH, Michael Craver of Culver, IN, Shaun (Rosie) Napier of Elkhart, IN, and John (Amy) Puzneak of Constantine, MI; 23 great-grandchildren; a brother, Edmond (Rosalie) Smith of Mishawaka, IN; and a sister, Margaret (Richard) Wolf of Fortney, TX.

She was preceded in death by two sisters, Dorothy and JoAnn Smith; a sister-in-law, Bernice (Ed) Daszynski; a special aunt, Sally Ladd of Bradenton, FL, and many extended family members and friends.

There will be no services or visitation. Cremation has taken place. Private family services will be held at a later date.

Louise was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, K of C Aux., American Legion Aux,, VFW Aux., and The Cosmetologist Association, and she rocked babies at Arnold & Winnie Palmer Hospitals.

A quote requested from my mother:

“If they weren't good to me when I was alive, it's too late when I'm gone. Be nice to each other. It's later than you think.”

Published in South Bend Tribune from Jan. 25 to Jan. 26, 2018.

11/25/2023 DEC