Ethel Nobel

With a smile that could brighten even the darkest of days, Ethel Nobel was a kind and compassionate woman who was always looking for ways that she could give to others. She was a dedicated wife and mother who considered it pure joy to care for the family her Father bestowed upon her. Ethel was a woman with an abiding faith who made the most of the life she was blessed with each new day. Although she enjoyed being a mother, nothing could have prepared her for how much she treasured being a grandmother. With a life that spanned many decades, Ethel leaves behind a legacy of grace, humility, and compassion. The year 1917 is most often associated with our nations entrance into WWI, but it was also the year in which John F. Kennedy was born, the first jazz record was recorded, and women gained the right to vote in New York City. This was a year for great celebration in the family of Dick and Dena (DeLong) Sieplinga as they welcomed their daughter, Ethel Jean, into their hearts and home on June 8th. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Ethel was one of eight children in her family, although three of her siblings died shortly after birth. Ethel was the first child to be born in the new home the family finished building in October of 1916. Her father worked as a plasterer while her mother was a homemaker. Life during this generation was much simpler in many ways leaving children to find fun with more basic resources. Ethel played with dolls, played baseball with the boys in the Christian schoolyard across the street from her house and when they traveled to Grand Rapids, it was considered a trip. It was also during her formative years that faith was established as a cornerstone in Ethels life as she regularly attended church and Sunday school with her family. The Sieplinga family lived in a home on Hartford Street in Muskegon that was built by Ethel's dad shortly before she was born. That home was later sold to Baker College and used as a dormitory. Ethel gave her family quite a scare when she contracted tuberculosis when she was around the age of 5, but she was able to make a full recovery. They were a close family who enjoyed traditions such as getting together with relatives for holidays complete with snowball cake each Christmas and Sunday dinners with rump roast. There were also fun-filled trips to Tahquamenon Falls where such special memories were made. Ethel attended Muskegon Christian School through the eighth grade and went on to Muskegon High School. As a student, Ethel discovered that she had a beautiful singing voice and sang in an acappella choir, was a member of the glee club, and she accompanied choral groups as well. After graduating from Muskegon High School in 1935, Ethel operated an elevator for six weeks in exchange for a Comptometer class. Soon after that Ethel got a job in the cost department at CWC Textron in 1935. Ethel earned just .30 cents an hour, but soon her work there yielded her more than just a paycheck as it was at work that she met the man who would change the course of her life forever. He was a co-worker named Tom Nobel and the couple began dating. Together Ethel and Tom enjoyed roller skating and going to hockey games. After falling deeply in love, Ethel and Tom were married on Valentines Day in 1945. Almost immediately after they became husband and wife, Tom went into the Army and was gone for about one-and-a-half years during which time Ethel moved back in with her parents. Ethel was overjoyed to find out that she and Tom were expecting, so she quit working in 1947 and focused on being a homemaker. In 1948, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Tom Jr., who was followed by their daughter, Dianne, in 1951. For a time their family lived in Muskegon Heights, but they later moved to Muskegon. The Nobel family enjoyed being together doing things such as camping at Hamlin Lake, attending and playing the organ at the Berean Church and Church of the Open Door and later, attending services at Calvary Bible Church. In 1961, Ethel returned to work at CWC for a short time, but in 1962 she started working at Hardy-Herpolsheimers where she remained until she retired in 1978. When she had some leisure time, Ethel enjoyed pursuing some of her interests. She liked cooking and baking, sewing and knitting, and doing craft projects as well. Ethel had many friends and enjoyed spending time with both her co-workers and her ladies club. After they retired, she and Tom treasured their time together and did a fair amount of traveling, took senior bus trips, and regularly visited their children and grandchildren. In fact, Ethel loved doting on her grandchildren, often taking them to Lake Michigan, teaching them to sew, playing games with them, and cooking special dishes for them. To those who knew Ethel Nobel, it was plain to see what she valued in life: faith, love, respect, kindness, and generously helping others. She lived her life to bring joy to the world around her. Ethel had an unwavering faith that sustained her even when the storms of life blew her way, her life a reflection of the beliefs that were engraved upon her heart. She was a dear woman to so many and will be deeply missed. Ethel Jean Nobel died on Sunday, August 1, 2010. Ethels family includes her son, Thomas J. (Marcia) Nobel Jr. of Grand Rapids; daughter, Dianne Pruim of Holland; grandchildren, Jack (Anna) Pruim, Jason (Beth) Pruim, Alisha (Chris) Snyder, Marissa Nobel; great-grandchildren, Jonathan & Jayden Pruim; brother, Richard Sieplinga of Muskegon; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, husband Thomas, sisters, Jeannette, Grace, and Harriet. A service will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2010, 11:00 a.m. at Calvary Bible Church, 4617 Grand Haven Road, Muskegon, MI with Pastor Rick Kiekintveld and Pastor Ed Arndt officiating. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery. Visit with Ethels family and friends on Wednesday, 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Homes, 1469 Peck Street, Muskegon, MI, and on Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory, sign the online guestbook, and make a memorial contribution to Calvary Bible Church of Muskegon or Muskegon Rescue Mission.