Devonne Marie Mau

Devonne, born in Saginaw, Michigan, is the fourth child God granted Dr. Earl Howard Devereaux and his wife Dorothy Irene nee Boguhn. Being the only girl and the youngest child, she received lots of attention from every member of the family, especially her father. She fondly remembers going with her father to farms as he provided veterinarian care to cattle and horses and whatever animal needed care. Devonne’s lineage predates the American Revolution through her father, a fact that pleased her.

She learned sewing skills and baking skills through her mother and 4-H Club. Her mother’s heritage included several generations of Missouri Synod Lutherans. She instilled the joy of being Christ’s child and taught Devonne that the hymns and liturgy are alive with Christ and joy. And that’s how Devonne worshiped. After marriage, Devonne invited her mother to live with the new family and they enjoyed a “Walton’s Mountain” family experience for 23 years, always supporting and encouraging one another.

Devonne was born on Memorial Day. How special she felt being included in the Memorial Day parade riding her red-white-blue decorated bicycle. Was she ever mad when the government took her holiday from her and moved it to the fourth Monday! Still, Devonne remained a red-white-blue patriot all her life.

Devonne officially took on the family name of “Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” with her Baptism at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Wheeler, Michigan. A few years later the family moved to Hemlock for pretty much all of Devonne’s school years. She made many friends in those years. She knew which boy (another veterinarian son) to couple up when assigned to dissect a frog – he did all the work and she got an A. She tried out cheer leading, ski team, tennis team, and was trusted as a baby sitter. Betty Tessin (married Bob Rood) remained her best friend all her life; Tammy Doehring (married Carl Hoppe) remained a close friend; Jean Raymond, a dear childhood friend whose friendship grew stronger as best friends. Devonne kept in touch with the people of Hemlock all her life and she told everyone willing to listen her Hemlock stories.

Devonne made her confirmation vows March 22, 1970 at St. Peter Lutheran Church of Hemlock. Pastor Edward Pankow was the longtime pastor there and a friend of the family. Her Confirmation Verse is “For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Devonne held a number of office jobs, mostly bookkeeping related, and also worked as a bank teller. She even did a stint as a teacher’s aid with Algonac School District passing the State of Michigan teachers’ exam on her first attempt!

Devonne first met her future husband Gerhard at a Lutheran Singles Adult weekend in 1977. It would take five years before they married on November 27, 1982 by Pastor Robert Schultz of St. Mark Lutheran Church, Shields, Michigan. A few years earlier, Devonne and her mother were on the ground floor helping plant that congregation and are original founders of the congregation. Gerhard would be ordained into the holy ministry a little more than a year later.

Devonne always dreamed and prayed to the Lord for two very special vocations: being a pastor’s wife and being a mother.

Devonne served as the “first lady” at St. John’s Lutheran Church of Grey Eagle and Mt. Olive Lutheran Church of Upsala 1984-1989; First Lutheran Church of Algonac, Michigan (1990-2005); and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church of North Plato (Hampshire), Illinois (2005-2017). She never wrote books nor had important positions nor was a circuit lecturer nor an organizer within the congregation. Her gift was seeing someone and reaching out to speak with that person. She brought comfort, reassurance, friendship, and a lot of humor and laughter. She was active with the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League and ladies’ groups of the congregation. She steadfastly stood beside her husband’s pastoral ministry, always encouraging him, and always understanding the needs of God’s people come first. Many people have come up to her to say: “You are unlike any other pastor’s wife I’ve ever met!” She also enjoyed hearing her husband singing hymns and Psalms and, in later life, practicing for the choirs he joined.

Devonne’s and Gerhard’s first daughter was delivered to them by a mechanical stork that flew from Seoul, South Korea over San Francisco’s golden gate, and landed at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport. They named her Maryruth. Devonne made sure birthdays were special, sewed a spectacular dress and even sewed matching mother-daughter dresses. Devonne attended with beaming pride Maryruth’s recitals and concerts and school events and even cheered her on at basketball games. As adults they enjoyed shopping and eating out together, which turned into victory dinners for each medical issue that occurred. To her dying day, Devonne always was willing and able to give her daughters advice – solicited or not.

Eleven years later, Alyssa, at age 14 months, labeled a “failure to thrive” child by the state, became part of the Mau family. Devonne gave up her job and made sure this child thrived – and Alyssa did, becoming like her mother in talking to anybody, bringing out the best in people, providing friendship, laughter, hope, and someone who didn’t judge you. Devonne guided and advocated for her daughter through school, medical, and life issues. While living in Nevada, they enjoyed mother-daughter dates to their favorite nail salon and running out to do everyday errands together.

In one Christmas letter her family noted: “She knows where every store is and gives directions where to find them. Yet we are still waiting for her to find the sewing machine, crafts to be finished, and the vacuum cleaner.” Christmas was always special to Devonne. Besides Christmas Eve worship, there had to be many decorations of the season present and even more Christmas presents under the tree. Devonne took joy in entertaining making sure everything was just right. Devonne was always ready for the adventure of a trip – as long as there were many food and shopping stops, grand nature scenes and historical sites, and no hiking.

Devonne retired with Gerhard to Farmington Hills helping his aging mother remain at home before moving to Henderson, Nevada to bring the family back together in one city and to avoid Michigan’s wintery cold, ice, blustering winds, and snow. She suffered a stroke and her heart just slowed until it came to rest. She committed her spirit into her heavenly Father’s hands. She was surrounded by her husband and two daughters in death who sang the hymns of faith with her, prayed with her, and loved her and she them.

Devonne is preceded in death by her father, mother, and older brother William. She is survived by two brothers David (Kathleen) Devereaux of Birmingham, Michigan and Gerald Devereaux of Gregory, Michigan; also by her favorite Nephew Justin (Jenny; and three children Frank, Derek, Victoria) of Simpsonville, South Carolina.

Suggestions for memorials:

● Comfort Dog Ministry of First Good Shepherd;

● Little Saints Preschool at St. Peter’s, Hampshire for those things a budget never covers;

● Another Way Pregnancy Center of Farmington Hills, Michigan.