Some of our most recent losses not limited to include Clara Dickerson, Richard Braun, Meroe Kaericher and Olive Conant.
To assist us developing a list of those who joined in the work or support of the Salem Area Historical Society, please contact us at Salem_Area_HS@yahoo.com
Olive A. Conant
(March 16, 1913 - September 28, 2008)
Olive Anne Conant, age 95, passed away at Heartland Health Care Center, Ann Arbor, MI, on Sunday, September 28 after suffering a stroke in late August. She was born on March 16, 1913 in Mankato, Minnesota, one of five children of Bruno and Catherine Anna Neubert. She married Herbert Eugene Conant of Denton, Michigan on June 25, 1940 who preceded her in death, as well as her son-in-law Jim Shake, sisters Madeline and June, brother Raymond.
She is survived by her sister Lucille Baker of Canton, Michigan, four children, John Roger Conant and Cynthia Anne Shake, both of Plymouth, Michigan, James Denton Conant of Sacramento, California and Bruce Paul Conant of Juneau, Alaska. Also surviving are her two granddaughters Tamara Lynn Conant (partner Adam Buckfelder) of Cambridge, Massachusetts and Colleen Marie Conant (husband Juan Jose Lopez Torres) of Redlands, California, also many nieces and nephews.
In 1930, the Neubert family relocated from Mankato to Michigan to find work at the beginning of the Great Depression. In 1942, she and Herbert moved their State historic (1833) John Wesley Conant house to its present location on Napier Road near Plymouth, Michigan because its original location was appropriated for the Willow Run Bomber Plant to help in the World War II effort. Recently the entire farm was granted a Conservation Easement and was approved as a Washtenaw County historic site.
Olive and Herbert raised their family on the farm. They raised chickens for eggs, vegetables, and baking goods for sale at the Ann Arbor Farmers Market for many years. Olive served as part time Market Master there with Herbert in the early 1970s. She enjoyed collecting baskets, dishes and other antiques for their historic home. She was active in the Salem Historical Society, Ypsilanti Seniors, Michigan Botanical Club and Michigan Herb Society, 4-H and the St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church in Plymouth for many years. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Peters Lutheran Church, St. Jude Hospital or the Salvation Army and would be appreciated by the family.
Olive had a long, healthy and productive life and will be fondly remembered by her loving family and many friends and neighbors.
Visitation was on October 2, 2008. A private ceremony at the Denton Cemetery was onFriday, October 3rd. A Memorial Service was held on Saturday, October 4th at St. Peters Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1343 Penniman Ave., Plymouth, MI 48170.
Meroe Allen Kaericher
( - August 2, 2004)
Meroe Kaericher, 61, passed away at her Salem farm surrounded by her four sons and husband, Michael. Meroe and Michael moved to their Salem 20-acre farm in 1977. Her passion was botany - her knowledge was flawless because of her love for each wildflower. She first became involved in preserving the environment through her volunteer work at Matthaei Botanical Gardens at the University of Michigan of organizing a research library for botanists.
In 1994, Kaericher's donation of a 20-acre nature preserve helped get what is now know as Washtenaw Land Trust on its feet. This donation helped the land trust to gather momentum to acquire other parcels and donations and work towards preservations. She also helped organize the Flemming Creek Advisory Council and worked toward compliance with federal watershed protection efforts. Meroe spearheaded the Adopt-A-Stream program, an effort to get residents involved with the health of local waterways.
As a member of the Salem Township Planning Commission, Meroe worked to preserve the green spaces of Salem. She presented seminars to other local planning commissions to teach them to work with land owners and developers to come up with good environmental solutions.
Meroe will also be remembered as the chair of the Salem Township Flag Day food committee and a mainstay at the food table.
The Salem Area Historical Society benefited from Meroe's dedication and hard work. She worked on the society's cookbook and was the editor and main author of the Spirit of Salem, SAHS Newsletter. For many years, she was a dedicated member and always volunteered to help on projects. Meroe was one of the leaders of the initial effort to preserve the SAHS's Dickerson Barn.
"Meroe was a wonderful, giving lady, who by her actions showed her love for her family, community and her friends," stated Marcia Van Fossen. "She didn't go after the glory; she did it because she cared. She was a very good friend."
"I remember Meroe for her intelligence and generosity of spirit," said Elaine Braun. "If anyone needed anything she would do it. She would drop everything to help out."
Husband Michael stated the Meroe hoped that friends who wanted to remember her would make a contribution to the Washtenaw Land Trust or the Huron River Watershed Council Endowment Fund, both located at 1100 North Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
