Miki Gudermuth

MaryAnn "Miki" Gudermuth, 74, of Cape Girardeau went to her heavenly home Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, after a short but hard-fought battle with a recently diagnosed disease.

Born Oct. 7, 1948, Miki was no stranger to hard battles. She contracted polio when she was 9 months old and spent the majority of her younger years in Shriners Hospital, where she endured multiple surgeries on her hips, legs and feet.

At the age of 3, Miki was adopted by Alvin and Anna Richardson of St. Louis. Her new parents gave her the love and support she needed to thrive. They also encouraged her to live her life to its fullest, despite having a disability.

In 1951, Miki was the poster child for March of Dimes in St. Louis. During her time at March of Dimes, she charmed the crowds by singing and entertaining them.

Miki began drawing and painting as a young child. She taught herself to paint as a way to pass long days spent in the hospital. By the time she was an adult, Miki excelled in the art world and won numerous awards for her paintings and drawings. She taught art classes at a community college in Tennessee, where she lived at the time. She also opened a business, Pawtraits by Miki. These pet portraits were in high demand, keeping her busy shipping paintings all over the world.

In December 1980, Miki married Chuck Gudermuth, the love of her life. They spent 41 years together. Chuck was Miki's greatest supporter, and he helped behind the scenes in all her endeavors. Sadly, Chuck passed away in 2021.

In the early 1990s, Miki and Chuck became a host family for international students attending Southeast Missouri State University. They formed lasting relationships with their Malaysian children and grandchildren who kept in touch and still visited their American parents in Cape Girardeau.

Miki was a very vocal supporter for civil rights and equality for everyone, especially individuals with disabilities. Her accomplishments through the years are too numerous to list, but include opening SEMO Alliance for Disability Independence (SADI) in 1993. The small not-for-profit started in 1987 as a polio support group in Miki's home and grew into a center for independent living, providing services to people with disabilities. SADI continues to grow, and it has been a part of the community for 30 years.

In her role of advocate, Miki served on several local, state and national boards as a representative of individuals with disabilities. She became known as the local spokesperson for disability rights and related issues. In 1987, Miki was appointed to the Governor's Council on Disabilities and became the local liaison for employment for the disabled. Miki also served on the state Mental Health Advisory Board, the board of directors for Support Dogs Inc. and the board of Gibson Recovery Center, just to name a few.

She also received many awards through the years, such as the Easter Seals Personal Achievement Award in 1994, Zonta Woman of Achievement Award in 2007, Saint Francis Disability Leadership Award in 2012 and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Missouri State Independent Living Council for Advocacy and Leadership in Independent Living in 2013. The list could go on and on.

Miki retired from SADI in 2019 but continued to support disability-related issues. She accomplished so much in her lifetime. Her grassroots work opened doors for others living with disabilities. SADI and the disability community lost a great leader and advocate. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Miki was preceded in death by her husband, Chuck, and parents.

She is survived by a cousin, Kenny Machamer of St. Louis, and her dear childhood friend, Linda Carlson of Anaheim, California.

There will be a celebration of life at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 7, in the Community Room at SADI.

Memorial contributions may be given to SADI. Memorial contributions may be made online at www.fordandlileyfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Liley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.