Clarice Emig

Throughout her long and fruitful life, Clarice Emig was a selfless woman who touched so many with her tender heart and her kind spirit. As her children can attest, she was so much more than just a mother as she was a nurturer, an encourager, and a trusted friend. With the love of her life by her side for more than 60 years, Casey embraced so much of what life has to offer while taking each moment captive and making it her own. Although life will never be the same without her here, the legacy Casey leaves behind that is rich in compassion, generosity, and unending devotion to her loved ones will live on in the hearts and lives of those who follow her. As part of the decade that became known as the Roaring Twenties, the year 1926 was a year to remember. It was the year that Henry Ford introduced the 40 hour work week and that NBC was launched. Since cars were more affordable thanks to the assembly line this was the year that boasted of the creation of Route 66 that would forever change the way we traveled our great land. Not long after we rang in the New Year that year, a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, were delighted to welcome a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on January 7th. Her name was Clarice Hazel and her parents, John and Angie (Medema) Workman, couldnt have been prouder. She became the oldest of three in her family joined by her younger sister, Ruth, and her brother, John. Her fathers family operated a celery farm in the lowlands off of Getty Street in Muskegon Heights. The farm provided Casey, as she was known, with the opportunity to establish a strong work ethic as she helped out with both the planting and the harvesting. At times she even made trips across Lake Michigan on the Milwaukee Clipper to deliver celery to the market there. The Workmans were of Dutch descent and attended Bethany Christian Reformed Church during Caseys formative years. After graduating from Muskegon Heights High School, Casey went on to Hope College where she earned a teaching degree. This was not the only important development during Caseys life as a young woman, however, as she also met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was George Emig and they met at a dance in Grand Haven during her summer break in 1946. They started to date, although Casey continued to see other young men while in college. Eventually, George won her heart and they were married on October 14,1949. Excited to establish their new lives together, Casey and George settled into Barney Haspers upstairs apartment in Muskegon. They eventually moved to a home in the Glenside neighborhood close to McGraft Park where they raised their three active boys, David, George Jr., and Scott, who were all born in a period of four years. The nearby park became a regular hangout for the Emig boys as they spent numerous hours playing tennis there. All their practice paid off, too, as all three boys became very accomplished players who competed in tournaments all over the area. The devoted mother that she was, Casey spent the majority of her summers getting her boys where they needed to go so they could play. It wasnt just her own boys who were blessed by Casey either as the Emig home was often the place where all the neighborhood boys wanted to be as well. Casey and George were always careful to plan time to spend as a family including on fun-filled trips during spring breaks to Florida and to other places as well. Once her boys were older, Casey could focus on some of her other interests. She began teaching again and spent several years as an elementary teacher at local schools. Her work first found her at both Nelson and Glenside Schools within the Muskegon Public School system before she finally settled in at Lincoln Park School in Mona Shores. Mrs. Emig finally retired in 1988 after teaching for more than 20 years. Throughout their married life, Casey and George shared many of the same interests and enjoyed spending time together. They were members of the West Shore Tennis Club, the Muskegon Country Club, and the Couples Around Muskegon (CAM) Club. After they retired the couple spent some of their winters in Florida, but they also loved being home so they could see their precious grandchildren more. Together they were blessed with six grandchildren whom Casey loved babysitting anytime the opportunity arose. Faith also played an important role in their lives. While they were raising their boys they attended First Presbyterian Church, but during their later years they were regulars at Forest Park Covenant. They eventually sold their home in Glenside and settled into the condominiums on Fairway Farms where Casey was able to do two of her favorite things - play golf and socialize with her friends. During her sunset years, Casey began showing signs of Alzheimers disease. George took excellent care of her for as long as he could, but it eventually became more than he could handle. It was at that point that Casey moved to Seminole Shores where she received the more hand-on care that her health required. George faithfully visited his beloved wife while she was there. Eventually, the fight became too much for Casey and she drew her last breath. When reflecting on the life of Clarice Emig we are reminded that true happiness isnt found in great wealth or in a collection of possessions, but that it is through the love we give to those around us that we are richly blessed. She devoted her life to selflessly coming alongside her husband and giving her children both the roots and wings they needed to succeed in their own lives. The memories Casey leaves behind create a brilliant kaleidoscope that will remain forever near and dear to those who were blessed to feel her warm touch. Clarice H. "Casey" Emig died on Wednesday, July 27, 2011. Caseys family includes her husband, George, Sr.; sons, David (Lisa) Emig of Muskegon, George Emig Jr. of CA, and Scott Emig of CA; grandchildren, David, Derek, Lindsay, Nicole, Alexis, and Kristofer; great-granddaughter, Addison; sister, Ruth (Carl) Robbins of NJ; brother, John (Lois) Workman of Holland; sister-in-law, Maxine Harry of FL. Services will be held on Friday, August 5, 2011, 11:00 a.m. with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Rev. Russ Carlson officiating. Memorial donations may be given to Harbor Hospice or Forest Park Covenant Church. 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