The daughter of Paul and Darthea Hartgerink, she was born on March 21, 1958. Her husband, David Smith, and she shared 46 years of marriage together. She earned her Master's Degree in School Administration. She taught many children about the good news of Jesus Christ through her ministry at Treasures to Grow On Preschool and Kindergarten. She lived her life for Jesus and others, and knew how to have fun. She was very creative and an avid scrapbooker. She enjoyed being outside, biking, taking walks, and being at her cottage at Higgins Lake. She was loved by many people and has many lifelong friends. She will be missed dearly, but we know that upon arrival into Heaven she heard the words," Well done, good and faithful servant."
She was preceded in death by her father, Paul Hartgerink; her brother, Mark Hartgerink; and son, Christopher Smith. She is survived by her mother, Darthea Hartgerink; husband, David Smith; son, Nick Smith; her stepchildren, Scott Smith, Mark Smith and Jane (Mark) Ziebell; grandchildren, Michael, Matthew and Kelly; and great-granddaughter, Lilly; niece, Megan (Josh) Gleason; and nephew, Dustin Hartgerink.
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at Community Church St. Johns, located at 100 Maple St., St. Johns, MI 48879. Following the visitation, a Celebration of Mary Lou's Life will take place at 4:00 PM at the church, Pastor Josh Lator and Pastor Jenny Rouble officiating.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mary Lou's memory may be made to the City Rescue Mission of Lansing, 601 N Larch St., Lansing, MI 48912, https://www.bearescuer.org/ or Community Church St. Johns, 100 Maple St., St. Johns, MI 48879, https://communitymi.org/locations/st-johns/
