An unsung hero, Mary Lautner has distinguished herself for decades by her tireless service to numerous causes and organizations. Quietly, behind the scenes, she would do whatever needed to be done to keep things running smoothly.
A secretary for decades who retired from the Traverse City Area Public School's transportation department, Launtner brought her efficiency, organizational skills and work ethic to any task she tackled — whether professionally or as a volunteer.
The Grand Traverse Pioneer & Historical Society recognized her many years of devotion to the organization by naming her their 2006 Historian of the Year. More than 50 attendees celebrated the honor with Lautner and her family Thursday evening during a dinner meeting at the Grand Traverse Heritage Center.
"She's just a really precious lady and is very, very interested in history," said Bob Wilson, the society president who read a proclamation from the area's representatives and the governor dedicated to Lautner.
Attendees at the dinner shared many Mary stories and memories during the program.
Steve Harold, the Historical Society's archivist emeritus, said he counted on Lautner for projects large and small, routine and crucial. From minutes to special meetings and auditing books to "typing" a manuscript and turning a mess into a publishable book.
"There was nothing that I couldn't ask her that I couldn't count on being done," he said. "She is always dependable and we all appreciate her."
Lautner began volunteering with the Historical Society in 1979 and recalls early meetings in a basement room behind a coal bin in the basement of the old City Hall. She has also worked with the Disabled American Veterans, with Marge Pifer sharing at the meeting that Lautner's dedication helped save the organization.
Intrigued by bookkeeping and typewriters at a young age, Lautner honed her secretarial skills over many years of service.
"It seems that with any organization I joined, I always wound up as the secretary — and it was my profession, too," said Lautner, whose husband, Ralph, died in January after 64 years of marriage. "I loved my work and I loved being a secretary and I still do."
A Traverse City native with roots in numerous pioneering families, Lautner became fascinated with history thanks to her paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Chantler Emerson. Her grandmother, a member of the Old Settler's Society in Traverse City, shared many tales of early life with Lautner. Lautner also attended many of the society's picnics when she was young, helping to cement her passion for history.
"We had a real good friendship because she lived with us the first six years of my life," recalled Lautner, who has extensively researched and documented her family tree. "She was just a little over five feet, maybe an inch, and her husband was six foot six inches, so they made quite a pair,"
Shortly after moving to the area with her family, Emerson became a teacher at age 15 at the one-room Dunn School. Her father was a miller and he came to run a mill, doing business with the Hannah Lay company. Emerson died during the 1930s, but not before she made an indelible impression on her granddaughter.
"When I was 12 years old, grandma described for me what Front Street looked like," recalled Lautner of Traverse City's early days.