Harriet Radel

No matter where she called home, Harriet Mary Radel always made it a point to become part of the community in which she lived and care for all of the friends and neighbors that surrounded her. She was generous with her time and never passed up the opportunity to sit down and visit with a neighbor or help out a friend in need. Harriet was also a loving wife and mother, who balanced a career, volunteer work, and many hobbies, all while putting the needs of her family first. In her lifetime, she saw many changes take place in the world around her, yet she remained a woman with a great appreciation for her friends and family, a commitment to helping others, and a deep faith in God. Throughout the late 1800s and the early part of the twentieth century, thousands of Polish immigrants made the journey across the Atlantic to seek their fortunes in America. Many, including young entrepreneur Ignatius Pawlak and his wife Hedwig, decided to make their new home in Muskegon Heights, where a small community of Polish immigrants began to flourish on the northwest side of the city. Once settled in their new neighborhood, Ignatius and Hedwig opened the Pawlak Grocery Store on the corner of 7th St. and W. Barney Ave. The young family lived above the store and as children started to arrive, first Stanley, then Mary and Josephine, their business became a real family affair. Excited to add another little one, on September 28, 1914, they proudly welcomed their fourth child, a daughter they named Harriet Mary. By the time all was said and done, Harriet had five siblings, including the three older children and her two younger sisters, Loretta and Pearl. Although the family eventually moved into the house next door to the grocery store, the short walk outside did change the amount of time they spent there. Harriet especially enjoyed working at the store and had a real gift when it came to helping the customers. Even when the depression set in, the Pawlaks didn't abandon their hospitality, but instead made it their mission to ensure that every one of their patrons had food on the table. Harriet learned the English language from the store's customers, but at home her parents spoke Polish, so that she would learn their native language as well. They also imparted their faith on her, attending weekly mass at St. Michael's Catholic Church and sending her to St. Michael's School. After finishing up the 8th grade, Harriet decided to stay home and work full-time at her family's store. Having been such a big part of her life already, it wasn't much of a surprise when Harriet began dating a young man named Maynard Radel, who delivered beer to the store from the Muskegon Brewery. Harriet and Maynard dated for five years before making their commitment official on May 17, 1941 at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Once married, the newlyweds moved into a small home behind the store, where they planned to start a family. Maynard took a job at Continental Motors, while Harriet stayed at home to prepare for the birth of their first child. In 1942 the couple welcomed a son named Fred, followed by a daughter named Marcia in 1943. Just a few years after they moved in, they had already outgrown their first home, so they decided to move to a house on Philo Ave. in the Lakeside area of Muskegon. They quickly adjusted to life in their new neighborhood. Maynard started a garden in the backyard and Harriet canned the vegetables that he grew. They also began attending St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, which was much closer to their new home. Since both of her children were now in school, Harriet decided to go back to work at Puhalski Grocery, where she worked first as a meat cutter and later as a cashier. She was a hard worker and liked putting in a good day's work, but even more that that she enjoyed helping people. The extra income also came in handy when paying her children's tuition at the Catholic schools they attended. Ten years after they had welcomed their last child, Harriet and Maynard were blessed once again with a daughter named Marie. After Marie was born, Harriet continued to work until the 1960s, when her oldest kids graduated from high school. Although she no longer had a job, Harriet kept herself busy by volunteering twice a week at Knollview Nursing Home. She also had several hobbies that she enjoyed, including embroidery and needlepoint, and was even part of a local sewing circle. Harriet was also a terrific cook and loved to bake cookies and pies. She was famous for her Hot Milk Cake with brown sugar frosting. On Sundays, however, she always took a break from the kitchen to go out for dinner with her family at Masar's Restaurant, which had become a tradition. Around the neighborhood, Harriet was known to be somewhat of a social butterfly. She liked to visit with the neighbor ladies or join them for a good game of cards, like Canasta. In the summer, the men would get together and go fishing and then hold a neighborhood fish fry to enjoy the day's spoils. And every year, Harriet and Maynard would host a fabulous New Year's Eve party at their home to celebrate with all of their friends. After Maynard retired from Continental Motors, the couple had more time to enjoy each other and the pastimes that they loved. They were never ones for travel, except one memorable family trip where they flew to Chicago, took the train to Milaukee and then rode the Milwaukee Clipper back home. But Harriet and Maynard did love to dance. They had once taken dance lessons at an Arthur Murray Dance School and enjoyed dancing ever since. They were also members of the Moose Lodge and Muskegon Heights Eagles, where they would go to socialize with friends or steal the show on the dance floor. In 1982, Harriet's beloved husband of more than forty years developed heart problems and passed away. The next year, Harriet moved into Northcrest Assisted Living Center, where she would spend the next twenty years of her life. She was very active there and involved in just about every activity they had to offer. She loved playing bingo and card games, as well as visiting with the other residents. Harriet always liked to look good, wearing lipstick and jewelry, which made it no surprise that over the years she had a few male suitors. Her favorite companions, however, were her family and grandkids when they would come for a visit. Last year Harriet's health started to decline and she required more care than she could be given at Northcrest. She spent the last two months of her life in a nursing home, where she would eventually find peace. In her lifetime she was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, who will be greatly missed and fondly remembered. Mrs. Harriet M. Radel, age 92, died Saturday, January 27, 2007. Her surviving family includes 1 son, Fred (Joyce) Radel of Muskegon; 2 daughters, Marcia (Garry) Pease of Muskegon & Marie (Louis) Schultz of Muskegon; 7 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren & 2 great great grandchildren; 2 sisters-in-law, Estelle Cousineau of Muskegon & Caryll Wright of CA. She was preceded in death by her husband, Maynard in 1982, 4 sisters & 1 brother. A service will be held on Wednesday, January 31, 2007, 11:00 AM at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, where she was a member. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 30, 2007, 4-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home -Muskegon, with a scripture service at 7:30 PM. Also Wednesday, one hour prior to the service at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association or the Arthritis Foundation. Please visit Harriet's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.