Renate Hilde Paula Rexhausen Smith

With the love of family around her, Renate Hilde Paula Rexhausen Smith, 86, completed her life’s journey on Sunday, May 11, 2025. She was an extraordinary woman who made an impact on so many people through her work, effort, love, and community involvement. 

Renate was born on October 27, 1938 in Bergisch Gladbach near Cologne, Germany. Sisters Ursula, Barbara, Bettina, and brother Felix shared her youth along with her parents Leni and Felix, Sr.  As an adventurous, determined teenager, Renate was selected to be an exchange student to Ann Arbor, Michigan - graduating from Ann Arbor Pioneer High School in 1956. She returned to Germany, earned her physical therapy degree from the University of Cologne, and began her beloved physical therapist career in a small hospital near Cologne. 

Living at home and wanting to return to the United States, Renate wrote to hospitals near Ann Arbor seeking employment while using the hospital in Germany as her return address. She ultimately accepted an offer from St. Joseph’s Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Michigan, and returned to America with elation, her parents’ blessing, and grit. She worked hard and looked for recreation by joining the Birmingham Ski Club - there she met a skier and dreamer named Rick Smith, and her life changed forever.

Renate became a citizen of the United States in January 1967, and she and Rick were married that September in the Village of Walloon Lake. They found a home to love and dreams to follow in Boyne City. There were flowers to plant, horses and dogs to feed, boys to raise, and a husband to stand alongside.

Renate worked to help as many people in as many ways as she could in her career as a physical therapist at the Emmet County Care Facility in Harbor Springs, Grandvue Medical Care Facility in East Jordan, Boulder Park in Charlevoix, and Little Traverse Bay/Northern Michigan Hospital in Petoskey. Her silver hair and the caring, helpful attention given to her patients being remembered by many for years to come. 

She served on the Boyne City School Board where she encouraged Advanced Placement offerings, helped earn North Central accreditation for the school, and spearheaded Academic Varsity Letter recognition for students. She also served her community and countryside for years from her attentive place on the Evangeline Township Planning Commission.

In fact, doing good things for the people and the land of northern Michigan began in the late 1960s when Rick and Renate teamed up with Rick’s dear brother Dave and wife Elaine Smith. They brought dreams like Wildwood on Walloon, The Harborage, One Water Street Restaurant, Water Street Inn, and Peninsula Beach in Boyne City to reality. 

Above all, Renate was a wonderful mother, grandmother, and aunt. Her Mother’s Day morning passing is fitting for a person who provided such love, comfort, guidance, and wisdom. She is a role model for taking action and showing love.

Renate is preceded in death by Rick Smith, parents Leni and Felix Rexhausen, sister Barbara Rexhausen, sister Ursula Eitner, brother-in-law Erhard Eitner, brother Felix Rexhausen, brother-in-law Dave Smith, sister-in-law Elaine Smith, sister-in-law Phyllis Smith, and nephew Terry Carr.

Renate is survived by son Derek Smith, his wife Rebecca, and their daughter Elizabeth. She is also survived by son Joel Smith, his wife Kathy, and their children Olivia and Luke. She is also survived by sister Bettina Heinrichs, brother-in-law Hans Dieter Heinrichs, and their children Alex Heinrichs and Regina Heinrichs. Renate is also survived by her nieces and nephews whom she valued as if her own, Jeff (Mary) Smith, Libby (John) Smith Washburn-Marklewitz, Leslie Wright, Mike (Beth Behrend) Smith, Dave (Mary Beth) Smith Jr., Miriam (J.P.) Finet, and Peter Smith, along with their incredible families.

In addition, Renate had many friends in the residents and staff at Independence Village in Petoskey, Michigan. Then Renate enjoyed a longer, intimate relationship with the loving staff and residents of Green Acres assisted living in Manistee, Michigan for whom Renate and her family are so grateful.

For those wishing to donate a gift in Renate's memory, the family suggests selecting a land conservancy or animal shelter as a recipient.

Renate’s family is having a memorial service for her at the First Presbyterian Church of Boyne City at 11:00 on Friday, June 13, 2025. The family will greet friends prior to the service and invite all to join for fellowship and memories during a luncheon immediately following the memorial.

Arrangements are in the care of Stackus Funeral Home.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.