DeLoris Maxine Jokat

Passed away Thursday June 28, 2012. Age 90 years. DeLoris Maxine Meyer was born June 4, 1922 in Fairmont, Minnesota to William H. and Marie (Hensel) Meyer. She moved to Saginaw at eight years of age and graduated from Saginaw High School in 1940. She married Harold J. Jokat July 8, 1940. They shared 62 years together before Harold's death in 2002. The marriage was blessed with six children, five daughters and one son; Gail Jokat of Saginaw, Diane (Bob) Salisbury of Howell, Maxine (Merle) Schmitzer of Birch Run, Joan (Tom) Kerr of Frankenmuth, Marcia (Terry) Passinault of Linwood, and Robert Jokat, deceased. DeLoris has ten grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren, one surviving brother Richard (Ann) Meyer of Saginaw. She was predeceased by two brothers and one sister, A.B. Meyer, Robert C. Meyer, and Lois M. Schultz. DeLoris was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church and its Ladies of Bethany. She also served two terms on the Saginaw County Community Mental Health Board, and became chairwoman of the program and personnel. In 1965 DeLoris went to work for the Norman Westlund Child Guidance Clinic with severely mentally disabled children in a pilot program to determine their potential. She completed training in special education as a training teacher under the State of Michigan. Many successes were accomplished with the children and later some of the children were sent to the Millet Learning Center. DeLoris retired after ten years of service to join a partnership with her daughter Maxine in Maxine's Flower Shop of Birch Run and retired in 2008 at 86 years old. DeLoris was devoted to two special friends, Arlene Bennett and Jean Pelletier. DeLoris enjoyed being with her family and friends. She was a dedicated Christian and was looking forward to her heavenly home. Our journey in life will soon be past, only what's done for Christ will last.Funeral service will take place 10AM Saturday, June 30, 2012 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 5051 McCarty Rd. Rev. Mike Nitz will officiate with entombment to follow at Roselawn Mausoleum. Friends and family may gather at the Reitz Herzberg Funeral Home on Friday from 12 Noon until 8PM and at the church on Saturday one hour before the funeral. Memorial offerings are suggested to Bethany Lutheran Church. To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of DeLoris "Shirley Dee" Jokat, please visit our Tribute Store.