Lola G. Schutter

For Lola Schutter, nothing in life could bring more joy than the times spent with family. Whether listening to the laughter of her grandchildren, sharing a meal with friends, or traveling the states with her husband, Lola loved to create wonderful memories with those she loved most. A loving, frugal woman with a talent for cooking, Lola touched many lives with her warm spirit, and brought great joy to those she loved. A caring wife, mother, and grandmother, Lola will be deeply missed. The 1920's swept into the United States bringing great change to the nation. Shaken from the terrors of the first World War, the United States showed resilience, entering into an era of prosperity and social change known as the Roaring Twenties. The beginning of prohibition, the 1920's were an age of adventure and rebellion, a time of speakeasies and jazz, flappers and bobbed hair styles. For Russel and Edith (Terwilliger) Burt, the year 1922 was filled with excitement and anticipation as they prepared their home in Eaton Rapids, Michigan for the birth of a new baby. One hot summer day, on July 25, 1922, they welcomed their newest bundle of joy into their lives, a baby girl they named Lola Grace. Lola spent her childhood with her older siblings, Mildred and Clinton, on the family farm. She kept busy helping around the farm, taking care of their cows, goats and horses. But as a child, Lola also enjoyed playing, and always loved dressing up their cats in doll clothes and pushing them around in a buggy. After the Great Depression arrived, Lola's parents had to make due with very little, and her mother, Edith, even sewed all the clothes for her family. When Lola grew into a young teenager, she moved in with a doctor's family, and traded her pay for boarding school tuition. She worked at the school, along with her classmates, helping with canning, ironing, and working in the post office. She would often make games out of her work, and loved racing her cousin to see who could iron a shirt faster. Unfortunately, Lola's cousin was always the winner of these competitions. While she was attending school, Lola met a young man named Bob Griffith. They soon began dating, and after graduation, became husband and wife. In August of 1943, as WWII was being fought overseas, the newlyweds welcomed their first child, Michael, into their home. Shortly after, Bob was drafted into the army, and began his training in Wyoming. After Bob had served for a short time, the Griffith family moved to Muskegon, Michigan. There, Bob got a job with Kaydon, and he and Lola joyfully welcomed two new daughters into their hearts, Judy in 1945 and Dena in 1950. Lola was a kind, loving mother who took great care of the home and created a wonderful childhood for her children. She always put her family first, and taught her children many life lessons and morals. Her son, Mike, remembers a time when he picked his neighbor's tulips as a gift for his mother. She immediately took him back to the house to apologize for his actions. Lola enjoyed taking annual vacations with her family every July to Florida, where they visited their Uncle Clinton. Unfortunately, after 32 years of marriage, Lola and Bob realized that their marriage was not working, and decided to get a divorce. When Lola's children grew older and had kids of their own, Lola was thrilled to become a grandmother. She was always happiest with a house full of her kids, and took great joy in the time she spent with her grandchildren. One of her grand children liked to call her the "curb grandma", because to visit from their home down the street, all they had to do was cross over the curb. Lola soon decided that she needed a job, and began working as a waitress at Sambo's restaurant. While there, noticed a nice man named Vernon Schutter who often came in on his coffee breaks. Lola enjoyed talking with him during her shifts, and over time, the two started to date. In 1979, she married Vern, and started a new happy chapter in her life. The newlyweds enjoyed their honeymoon to Tahquamenon Falls, and then settled together in Muskegon. Lola's family loved Vern dearly, and accepted him with open arms. Lola and Vern loved to spend time together, and enjoyed traveling. During their trips out east and west, Lola collected matchboxes to commemorate the places they had visited. The two were also active in their church and Lola enjoyed taking care of two parishioners, Aunt Bea and Dorothy Redman. Always a cat lover, Lola was thrilled when her son, Michael, gave her and Vern a kitten named Abigail, and she was very attached to it. Unfortunately, in 1994, Lola was diagnosed with breast cancer. For many years it gave her no problems, but in 2009 it appeared again. She and Vern moved to Sanctuary of the Oakes, and enjoyed being there together. Lola passed away on November 11, 2010 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Throughout her life, Lola loved nothing more than to spend time with her family. A warm, loving woman, Lola was a wonderful cook and homemaker, and worked hard to make others feel comfortable. A loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, Lola created many beautiful memories throughout her lifetime, and will be truly missed. Lola is survived by her husband of 31years, Vernon; son, Michael (Susan) Griffith of Montague, daughters, Judith Williams, Dena (Ron) Milks, both of N. Muskegon; stepsons, Carl (June) Schutter of Ravenna, Roger (Cathy) Schutter of Grand Rapids, Timothy (Cindy) Schutter of Ravenna; stepdaughters, Deborah (Jim) Ackerberg of Grant, Vicki (Vince) Arends of N. Muskegon, Lori (Dennis) Bayle of Fruitport, Pamela Schutter of Mears; 6 grandchildren, 20 step grandchildren; several great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her sister, Mildred & brother, Clinton. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, November 13, 2010, 11:00 AM at the Clock Chapel - Muskegon with Pastor Tim McGarvey officiating. Interment at Sunrise Memorial Gardens. Friends may visit with her family on Saturday one hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Memorials to Grace Youth Camp or Harbor Hospice would be appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a memory or sign the online guest book.