Audrey Elaine (Silverness) Schmatz

Audrey Elaine (Silverness) Schmatz, 88, of Long Lake Township, passed away peacefully on June 23, 2022. Audrey was born to Nels and Isabelle (Quarberg) Silverness in Horicon, WI on August 16, 1933. She grew up in the small town of Horicon and was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church. She was also Queen of the Mayville chapter of Job’s Daughters, continuing the tradition of her father who was a Mason and her mother, an Eastern Star. After graduating Horicon High School in 1951, Audrey attended the University of Wisconsin Madison and received her bachelor’s degree in Education (Childhood Development) in 1955. Upon graduation, Audrey taught kindergarten in West Bend, WI for 1 year. She married Duane John Schmatz at the First Presbyterian Church of Horicon, Wisconsin on July 28, 1956. They moved to Dearborn where she was employed for 1.5 years at Ford Motor Company's Library in Dearborn MI until becoming a full time homemaker. Audrey and her husband Duane resided in Dearborn Heights MI for over 50 years. They vacationed in the Traverse City MI area every year since 1972 and moved into their home on Long Lake in 1992. Audrey was a loving wife and mother, devoting her life to her family. She enjoyed needlework, all types of puzzles, golf, and tennis. She was a very talented musician and played the baritone, trombone, piano, and sang. In the summer of 1950, she was one of 80 members of the highly selective Canadian-American school girls band that toured extensively throughout the US and Canada. Audrey enjoyed travel, with many trips throughout the United States including Hawaii, Australia, Europe, and South America. She was one of the sweetest people you ever could meet and was loved and cherished by all that had the pleasure of knowing her. Audrey is survived by her husband Duane and five children: Kathryn Brannon (Robert) of Harrodsburg, KY, Linda Checkley (Tim Garrett) of Clarkston, MI, Daniel Schmatz (Nancy) of Macomb, MI, Craig Schmatz (Mona) of Birmingham, MI, and Dale Schmatz (Jennifer) of Canton, MI. She is also survived by fifteen grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren, two great-great grandchildren, and her sister Dolores Jung of Elyria, Ohio. Audrey was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Joan Haggerty. Audrey’s family wants to give a special thank you to all the staff at Orchard Creek Supportive Care and Hospice of Michigan for the tender, loving, excellent care given to Audrey in the last years of her life. Please share condolences with Audrey’s family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com. A celebration of life memorial will be scheduled for later in the summer in the Detroit Metro area where much of Audrey’s family resides. The family would appreciate any donations in her name to be made to the charity of your choice.

Audrey Elaine (Silverness) Schmatz

August 16, 1933 - June 23, 2022