Grace Sietsema

August 3, 1932 — September 4, 2011

Grace Sietsema Profile Photo

Known for her kind heart and generous spirit, Grace Sietsema was a blessing in the lives of the people around her. With the love of her life by her side for more than 55 years, Grace fully embraced her role as a mother and in so doing, made a difference in the lives of those who follow her that will last for generations to come. A woman whose life exemplifies what it means to truly live, Grace was content in all things and was equipped with a graceful resilience that provides us all with much to aspire for. Her memory will remain forever in our hearts. Graces journey began during a trying time in our nations history due to the unrelenting grip of the Great Depression. Countless Americans were without jobs, without homes, and without hope for reprieve anywhere in sight. There was excitement in the air for one bustling family from Muskegon, Michigan, however, as they were eagerly anticipating the birth of their sixth child as summer dawned in 1932. Their wait was over on August 3rd when Grace Ione made her arrival as the youngest child born to George and Emma (Mclaughlin) Kepford. She was raised in the family home on Southern Avenue throughout most of her childhood alongside her brothers, Ira, Harry, and Jim, and her sisters, Ruth and Betty. Graces father worked for the City of Muskegon while her mother had more than enough to keep her busy at home. She attended local schools including McLaughlin School, Nelson School, and finally Muskegon High School. Graces brothers were very athletic, and Grace followed right in their footsteps as she ran track and played field hockey in high school. She was also voted class cut up by her classmates. Not long after graduating from high school in 1950, new and exciting changes occurred in Graces life when she was introduced to the man who stole her heart. His name was Robert Bob Sietsema, and he was one year her senior and graduated from Muskegon Heights. The young couple was introduced by Graces friend, Ruthie Hendricks. A dating relationship quickly ensued and they soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to build a life together, they married on March 26, 1954, right after Bob graduated from Michigan State. Soon after they married Bob was drafted into the Army so they moved to Missouri where he was stationed. When his duty to his country was fulfilled, the couple returned to Muskegon where they moved in with Graces mother. They were delighted to become parents to three wonderful children who were born within four years: Clayton, Peggy, and Paul. To accomodate their growing family, Grace and Bob purchased a house on Cornell in Roosevelt Park. Bob joined his father in the family floor covering business while Grace focused on raising their children. With the birth of their son, Glen, in 1967, they again needed more room so they moved to a home on Wilcox in the Bluffton neighborhood just one block from Muskegon Lake. There was always plenty of room in the Sietsema family for good old fashioned fun. There were annual family vacations that are fondly recalled as 10 glorious days at Diamond Lake in which two families and a bunch of cousins packed into one tiny cottage. There were also trips a bit farther from home including to the Upper Peninsula, Mackinac Island, and to Cedar Point. Grace and Bob also regularly got together with a group of friends for pool parties with the families where great fun was had by all. Faith also played a role in their family as they were longtime members of Central United Methodist Church. Grace was a fantastic cook who always had dinner on the table each evening at six oclock, and it was a time for everyone to spend a few moments together. Sundays usually found them at Bobs fathers house for his famous prime rib dinners. Grace loved living life alongside her children and was an active part of their lives. She enjoyed taking the kids to the channel to fish and making breakfast at Spider Park next to the channel. Although there was never anything of greater importance to Grace than her family, she did enjoy other things as well. In the mid-seventies she went to work part-time at Hardy-Herpolsheimers where she remained for about ten years. Eventually, Grace became the office manager for the family flooring business for nearly 20 years. She and Bob were members of the Vikings for 40 years, and Grace liked to volunteer at the Bingo games they held as often as time allowed. She always loved music and was a gifted musician herself who played the ukulele and liked to sing along with the radio. It was amazing how Grace always knew the lyrics to every song. As someone who always loved fishing, she not only enjoyed fishing with her kids during the warmer months, but she also spent quite a bit of time in the ice shanty on Muskegon Lake near their home. Grace had a special place in her heart for animals and usually had a dog or cat around. She was also known to take in strays on more than one occasion. Grace was a member of the Cherry Guild at Hackley Hospital and also volunteered there at the gift shop. She was also a member of the Bluffton Historical Society and helped write the book about Bluffton called Sand in Our Shoes. When their children were grown, Grace and Bob moved to Norton Shores, and they also took more time off to travel. Their travels took them to Mexico with Bobs father and also to the Florida Panhandle with other relatives. Grace also enjoyed more time for playing cribbage and trips to the casino where she always did quite well on the slots - which she claimed was because she was born during an eclipse! As she battled lung cancer over the past 18 months, Grace fought hard and Bob cared for her as best he could. It would ultimately be a fight that was just too hard for her body to overcome. In everything she did, Grace Sietsema treated those around her with compassion, kindness, and unconditional love. There was no greater gift in her life than her family, and her love for her husband, children, and grandchildren will be forever treasured. Grace Sietsema died on September 4, 2011. Graces family includes her husband, Robert; sons, Clayton (Jill) Sietsema of Muskegon, Paul (Lori) Sietsema of Muskegon, and Glen (Donna) Sietsema of NY; daughter, Peggy Lombardi of Holland; grandchildren, Cre Lombardi, Nolan Lombardi, Ben Sietsema, Nicole Sietsema, and Elsie Sietsema; brother, Harry (Rebecca) Kepford of Muskegon; and sister, Ruth Schaefer of Muskegon. Grace was preceded in death by her granddaughter, Becky; brothers, Ira and Jim; and her sister, Betty. Services will be held on Thursday, September 8, 2011, 1:00 p.m. and visitation 1 hour prior to the service at the Clock Life Story Funeral Home with Pastor Diane Gordon officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Harbor Hospice or Linne Lodge #57 Viking Scholarship Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.

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