Genevieve Winifred Mcgrane

Genny McGrane was a hard working, fun-loving, and outgoing lady, who devoted her life to caring for the people around her. She was a woman of great compassion and character, with an iron will and a heart of gold. Most of all, Genny was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, who blessed the lives of all who knew her. Gennys story began on a cold, snowy winter day in 1921, as the frozen waves formed along the beach in Muskegon, Michigan. Those were times of change in this country, as newly-elected President Warren Harding promised the American people a return to normalcy, at the start of the Prohibition era. On January 11, 1921, Louis and Effie (Zuidema) Sikkenga celebrated the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Genevieve Winifred Sikkenga. Genny, as she was called, was the eighth of 10 children in the large Dutch family, joining her big siblings John, Percy, Harry, Theresa, Clarence, Gertrude and Louis, and her little brothers, Melvin and Jack. Gennys dad owned the Sikkenga Cement Company, which was located on Getty at Fleming in Muskegon, while her mother was a hardworking homemaker, very busy with 10 kids. Genny grew up during some very hard times, in a very strict household, too. All the kids had their share of chores to do around the house, and their church was their second home. The family was devoutly Christian, and attended service twice on Sundays. Gennys dad was a charter member of the Unity Reformed Church, and even supplied blocks and concrete to help build it! The concrete business was a family affair, as well, and her brother Harry would often drive the dumptruck down to the dunes at Lake Michigan to have it filled with sand for the company. She always told the kids it was a secret where the sand came from! Genny attended Muskegon Public Schools, first at Angel Elementary School, and eventually went on to graduate from Muskegon High School. One night when Genny was a young woman, she went to Jennys Dance Hall in Muskegon, which was a popular hangout in those days. She walked by a young man named Clifford McGrane, and he stuck out his foot and tripped her! The furious Genny quickly ran to get her big brothers to defend her honor, but they said they wouldnt fight for her! So Genny was stuck with him. But soon after he tripped her, Genny fell head over heels in love with Clifford, and a whirlwind romance ensued. He was working as a millwright at the Norge Plant, but with the dark skies of World War II thundering in the distance, it wasnt long before the couple would be separated. Cliff received his draft card in the mail, and promptly asked his beloved Genny to be his bride. The happy couple was married on November 9, 1942 in Muskegon, and Cliff soon shipped out to service in the Army Air Corps. When the war ended and Cliff returned, he went back to work at the Norge, and he and Genny went to work on starting their family. The couple was blessed with eight wonderful children over the coming years, Barbara, Margaret, Jacklyn, Mary Ann, William, Kay, Kenneth, and James. Times were tough for the family, as Cliff eventually went to work as a pipe fitter for the union, and Genny cared for the home and the kids. They didnt have a lot of money, but they had each other, and it was enough. In fact, sometimes it was too much! Genny ruled the roost with a firm hand, and if the kids got out of line, she often would chase them around the house with a broom! Yet Genny was a wonderful wife and mother, who taught her children about right and wrong, and that there were consequences to their actions. She was a very supportive parent, who took care of their wants and needs, too, but she always taught them to be accountable. Since money was tight, the family didnt go on vacations, but they did enjoy their weekly trips to Hoffmaster State Park in Muskegon, packing a picnic lunch and enjoying a day at the beach together. Cliff would take his bow and arrows for archery practice, the kids would run around the beach, and Genny would enjoy some much-needed relaxation on the sand! The family also enjoyed frequent day trips up north, and they always stopped at Jones Ice Cream in Baldwin. They took trips to Deer Park, and Genny often took the city bus to the Ovals. Genny didnt drive until 1968, when a city bus strike forced her to finally learn. The family suffered a difficult blow in 1976, when Cliff died suddenly. Though saddened, Genny persevered. Genny remained a very active and vibrant woman, and in fact, her kids couldnt keep her at home. She enjoyed going bowling, playing bingo, and was an active member of the TOPS group, too. Genny was such a fun-loving, outgoing woman, if she didnt no anyone when she went to the mall, by the time she left she had made many new friends! Genny knew everyone, it seemed. Most of all, Genny enjoyed spending time with her kids and especially grandkids, who always brightened her days. She loved babysitting the grandkids, and their births were the happiest days of her life. Genny was diagnosed with cancer in 1995, and bravely battled the disease into submission. She was a 13-year cancer survivor, who inspired the people around her. Eventually, Gennys health began to decline, and finally in 2002, she went to live in a nursing home. It was a very sad day for her children, who could no longer care for her. They visited often, and the happiest days for Genny were spent going for rides to Lake Michigan with her son Ken, looking for deer and stopping for ice cream. Sadly, Genny died on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, at the age of 87. Genny was a wonderful woman, such a hardworking, outgoing lady, who devoted her life to caring for the people around her. Genny was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, a woman with an iron will, and a golden heart, a heart she shared with everyone who knew her. She will be greatly missed. Genny is survived by her 3 sons, William (Karen) McGrane, Kenneth McGrane, James McGrane, all of Muskegon; 4 daughters, Barbara (Larry) Raynor, Margaret (Charles) VonHohenstein, Jacklyn Iverson, Helen Kay (Greg) Dietz, all of Muskegon; 16 grandchildren & 12 great grandchildren; brother, Jack (Darlene) Sikkenga of Muskegon; son-in-law, Karl Tazelaar of Muskegon. Mrs. McGrane was preceded in death by her husband, Clifford, in 1976; daughter, MaryAnn Tazelaar; son-in-law, Robert Iverson; 3 grandchildren, Michael Raynor, Clifford Thorson, & Rhonda Kempton. Services are scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2008, 11:00 AM, at Clock Chapel with Rev. Ken Shady officiating. Visitation is Thursday, 6-8 PM & Friday, 1 hour prior to service at Clock Chapel. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association. 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