Peggy Anne Smutek

Peggy Anne Smutek (Taylor), age 82, of Luzerne, Michigan, was welcomed in Heaven
on June 8, 2025.
Left to live out her legacy are her loving husband of 63 years, Frank Smutek, and
their children, Brian Smutek, Amy (Rod) Solak, Bill Smutek, and Ted (Michelle) Smutek.
The proud grandmother of Stephanie (Brent) King, Brad (Mallory) Solak, Ana (Keith)
Peters, Brittany (Can) Anlar, Morgan, Mariah Smutek, and Logan Sanborn and Leah
Kirmo. Her greatest joys, her great-grandchildren, include Griffin, Collin, and Maggie,
Claire, Vanessa, Blaise, and Skyleigh. Other survivors include Becky Smutek, Brent
Richard, her sister in spirit Linda Sakamoto, and many other special family members,
and friends.
Peggy was born in Flint, Michigan, on August 16, 1942 to Herbert “Jack,” and
Lorraine (Harris) Taylor. As the oldest child and only girl of her three brothers, she
became a natural at caregiving and raising three boys and a girl, of their own. After
making many friends throughout school, she graduated high school from Flint Central
High, where she continued to stay in touch with classmates through the years. Upon
her high school graduation, she enrolled in college at Ferris State University, where she
became the first female to graduate with a printing degree. Go Bulldogs!
Frank and Peg’s love began with nothing short of a great story.They met through
canoe racing in 1960, and married on December 15, 1961. The next five years brought
their four children, where she chose to be a stay-at-home mom. Eventually, they moved
from Flint to Luzerne, where they continued to raise their children. Their hearts and
homes were always open to anyone in need of a hand. Peg’s sense of community is
what helped form the “Fun Club,” where kids had a place to safely socialize, give back
to others, and have FUN. Together with Frank’s support, they raised their children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren to have courage to try new things, take
adventures, to find joy in simple things, and of course, add a little spice to life.
Peg took on her job at the Oscoda County Herald for many years, using her skills
earned from college. Her work shifted when she became an EMT for the county, and
her family grew accustomed to not parking behind her in case she went rushing out to
help others. This helping nature became a capstone in the community, where she
spent over thirty years caring for others in their most vulnerable times. Her service in
this role led her to proudly earn a few “stork pins,” which represented her assistance in
the birth of a child.
She also was a smiling face you could find as she took a “retirement” position at
the dental office with Doc Mangutz. The years she spent at the dental office expanded
her connection with others, especially her friendships with her co-workers and patients.
In addition, Peg was a dedicated member of the Emma Lowery Church, where she
became the glue that helped keep the tiny church going through the years, and was a lifetime member
of the American Legion, and founding member of the Ladies Auxiliary at the Luzerne Post 162.

Since canoeing, the river, and community was in her blood, she often hosted
fishermen, paddlers, friends, and strangers alike, as they took to their adventures,
particularly the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. This sparked the beginning of a
twenty-year endeavor of orchestrating Mio’s “First Dam” Canoe Race. She diligently
fundraised face-to-face, organized, and recruited volunteers to create an event not only
for paddlers, but for their families and community members as well. She had a special
way of bringing people together, especially over a pot of her “hobo stew.”
Age was never an excuse to slow down, or stop pursuing a life well-lived. She
survived many broken bones and mis-haps while out adventuring, and beat cancer like
the warrior she was. While it is impossible to name all of her hobbies and interests,
some memorable ones are when she learned to play the keyboard, joined a cardio
drumming group, started the Trunk-or-Treat in Luzerne, fishing and camping at Alcona
Park, and worked at Oscoda County Chamber of Commerce until her passing. She was
a 4-H leader for her grandkids, and never missed a game or celebration for her great
grandchildren. She also never missed a garage sale, a deal, or the chance to show
kindness to others. There were no strangers, just friends she hadn’t met yet.
Many people have a love language, and she was fluent in them all. She is
already deeply missed in the community and family that she poured herself into. Her
faith led her to understand that her next homecoming would allow her to be reunited
with her loving parents, and brothers Tim, Jack, and Bob, and many friends and family
members in Heaven.
Those wishing to honor our beloved wife, mother, Granny, GiGi, and friend, are
asked to live like she did. Please give generously, love deeply, believe faithfully, and
live fully.

Visitation will be held for Peggy on Sunday, June15, 2025 from 2 - 4 PM at the TriPoint Church of God, Mio, Michigan, with Funeral Service at 4 PM with Pastor Hedy Alcock officiating. Interment to follow at Luzerne Cemetery. A dinner will be held following at the Luzerne American Legion Post #162.