Madelyn Sue Rateau (nee Shaw), 80, went to be with her Savior, Jesus, on Nov. 27, 2010, surrounded by her family.

She was born June 11, 1930, in Davison, Mich., to the late Rex and Lelah (nee Hamilton) Shaw and raised in Schwartz Creek, Mich.

Madelyn married Charles Rateau on June 18, 1949, at the First Presbyterian Church in Flint, Mich.

She enjoyed reading, cooking and baking. She obtained great joy by giving her homemade goodies away to neighbors, friends and family. She loved to spend as much time with her family as possible and was so happy when they were all together. Madelyn thoroughly enjoyed being active in the Cedar Lake Home choir and called the Kewaskum House of Prayer her church home and was active in a ladies Bible study.

Working mostly as a homemaker, there were times when Madelyn also enjoyed working outside the home as a nurse’s aid and also as a cook at an area supper club. She loved working with people and loved life in general. Madelyn always had a positive attitude and a generous spirit.

Madelyn is survived by her children, Jill (Don) Lindquist, Rene (Patrick) Hart, Dan (Robin) Rateau, Timothy Rateau, Lelah Sue (Mark) Duehr, William Rateau, Cathleen (Mike) Schellinger, Bethany Weyland, Jacqueline (Steve) Schellinger, Tammy Lugo, Matthew (Anne) Rateau, Dionne Neubauer and Dawn (Jeff) Snyder; 26 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Charles Rateau; parents, Rex and Lelah (nee Hamilton) Shaw; sisters, Betty (Jack) Biggart, Evelyn (Herb) Rivette and Ernestine (Doug) Johnson; brothers, Jack (Elaine) Shaw and Dick Shaw; great-granddaughters, Lee Christine Sattler and Jenna Lynn Verhaalen.

In honor of Madelyn’s wishes, the family will have a private memorial service at Kewaskum House of Prayer. Please direct gifts of money to any one of the various Salvation Army Kettles.

Shimon Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.shimonfuneralhome.com.