Mae Revak was selected Granton’s Honored Grandparent for 2011

and will ride in the annual Granton Fall Festival Parade Sunday, Sept. 11, 2011
 (Contributed photo)

 

To understand Grandma Mae Revak, is to understand love, acceptance and nurturing,” Grandma would always greet us with a “Bear Hug” and one of either phrase: “Do you know how much I love you?” or “I am so proud of you!”  These two sentences were taken from the nomination letter for Granton’s Honored Grandparent Award. The words seem so simple to write, but they tell such a complex story of the role this year’s recipient, Mae Revak, played in the life of her children and grandchildren.

Revak is the loving grandmother to 24 living grandchildren, 32 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.  She is also “known as Grandma Mae to many people around the community, who are not even related to her,” according to the nomination. She is known for “her famous homemade noodles in chicken-noodle soup for Christmas, as well as, delivering Easter baskets and sending care packages of cheese, sausage, crackers and home-baked cookies an candies” to the grandchildren while they were away to college.  “She also makes great potato salad, apple kuegen, grilled chicken, Christmas cookies and candies."

All the grandchildren look forward to their birthday card from Grandma each year. She helped provide babysitting for some of the grandchildren over the years as needed.  While there, “she would let them play with her makeup supplies, try on her shoes and even sample coffee, with lots of sugar and milk added.”  She always had plenty of gummy worms around for treats, and she let them use her junk mail to pretend they were writing checks and paying bills.

Grandma Mae is known “for wiping the dance floor when a good polka comes on” and has participated in the annual Granton Family Feud softball tournament for years. She was seen again this summer swinging the bat and playing catcher. She had her hip replaced this spring, so she had to take it a bit easy, but she is still as spry as ever.

Mae has had some trials throughout her lifetime and she never gave up.  “She battled a brain tumor many years ago and endured the loss of grandchildren.”  Through these hardships she has taught her children and grandchildren to never give up. She is a very strong person who sets an example that others want to follow, “a real matriarch of her family."

Mae raised six children, Bobby Barth, Georgianna Michalski, Bill Barth, Randy Barth, Lori Krueger and Mark Barth.  They have many grandchildren and great-grandchildren for Revak to enjoy. Revak lived in the Town of Lynn and worked on the farm, milking 55 cows and doing fieldwork for many years. She was also a bartender at the Dew Drop Inn for several years.  In 1969 Mae began employment at Marshfield Homes where she worked many different jobs, from sidewalls to ceilings to utilities. She married Carl Revak in 1973 and he had four children who also call her Mom and many grandchildren who adore her. Revak retired from Marshfield Homes in 1989, after 20 years of service. She lost Carl in 2003, as he passed away, but she remained in their home in Lynn until 2010, when she moved to the Cedar Rail apartments in Marshfield.

Revak served as an election clerk for the Town of Lynn for several years, and she was an active member of the St. Stephen’s Catholic Church in Chili until it closed its doors. She is now a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Marshfield. She volunteered for many projects, dinners and activities throughout the years.  Revak says she wants to have a grand birthday celebration when she turns 100 years old, hosting a big party with live music, so everyone can enjoy themselves.  Her enthusiasm for life and her loving spirit are always evident.  Her “bubbly spirit” is enjoyed by many family and friends.

Summing up the nomination best are the following words, “Grandma has taught us many life lessons; perseverance, to work hard, never stop dancing, laugh at yourself, always look to God, and family is always there for you. She always treats us and others with respect, and she believes in her family and has unconditional love for each of us.  She truly is a wonderful person and positive role model that others can aspire to be."

As you can see, Mae Revak is truly deserving of the 2011 Granton Honored Grandparent Award, sponsored by the Granton FFA Alumni. As this year’s recipient, she will ride in the annual Granton Fall Festival Parade Sunday, Sept. 11.

 

Mae Revak Honored in the 2011 Granton Fall Festival Parade.

 

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