Luella M. Harmsen

There were many treasured things in the life of Luella Harmsen, but nothing was more precious than the family she called her own. She was kind and tenderhearted, someone who found great joy in brightening the lives of those around her. Luella was a nurturing mother who considered it pure joy to care for the children who were her greatest source of pride and joy. With a life that spanned times of war and times of peace, times of plenty and times of want, Luella leaves behind a brilliant tapestry of memories that will continue to shine in the lives of those who follow her. It was during the decade that became known as the Roaring Twenties that America was moving forward with great fervor. This was the decade that saw more affordable goods like radios and automobiles because of the assembly line, and also the first transatlantic flight taken by Charles Lindbergh. Nestled within this vibrant time was the year 1923 that was full of noteworthy events, too, such as the death of President Warren G. Harding, the launch of Time Magazine, and the first baseball game played in Yankee Stadium. This was a year of great significance in the family of Vernon and Maude (James) Burghduf for a much different reason since it was on August 26th that they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Luella. Born in Muskegon, Michigan, Luella was the second of seven children in her family including her brothers, James and Robert, and her sisters, Virginia, Bonnie, Elizabeth, and Helen. Luella called the downtown area of Muskegon home throughout the majority of her life and although they lived nearby the beautiful eastern shores of Lake Michigan, it was a rare treat when the Burghduf family went to the beach since they did not have a car. Luellas father worked for Rosies Teamsters doing delivery work in the downtown area while her mother was a homemaker. In many ways, Luella enjoyed a childhood that was rather typical for the youth of that generation. She loved roller skating and attended Hackley School from kindergarten through the second grade before transferring to Nelson Elementary where she attended classes through the sixth grade. Luella then went on to Muskegon Junior High and Muskegon High School, graduating in January of 1942. Life was simpler back in those days and at the time, Friday night football games were what everyone did in Muskegon. By the time Luella graduated from high school, America had been deeply entrenched in the throes of WWII for a little more than a month. Luella went to work at Sealed Power shortly after she graduated, and she remained there for six years. Life was forever changed for Luella when she married and was blessed with the births of three girls: Janet, Sue, and Mary. She fully immersed herself into caring for her girls and was very involved in their lives. Luella was a stay at home mother who regularly volunteered her time in the activities that her children were involved in including as a Brownie leader. Her volunteer efforts extended to the Red Cross as well since she often rolled bandages for them. There was always plenty of room for family time in Luellas home and relationships with extended family members were of great importance. Sunday afternoons found them visiting with both relatives and friends, most of the time at grandmas house for Sunday dinner. In fact, being home with her family was where Luella liked to be most of all as she never really had a desire to travel much. Although her marriage eventually ended in divorce, Luella was forever grateful for the children who were the light of her life. It goes without saying that there was nothing more important to Luella than her family. For over 25 years, Luella savored the Wednesday afternoon coffee gatherings with her sisters a time they called coffee clutch. Once a month she also shared dinners with both her brothers and sisters at a restaurant. There were other things that she enjoyed throughout the years, too. She did a lot of reading and regularly baked both pies and cakes. When it came to her favorite food there was nothing like a baked chicken dinner, and her most cherished possession was her collection of white milk glass items. Luella also collected S green stamps. There are many who spend their days pursuing the acquisition of wealth or possessions, but it was the relationships with those she loved that Luella Harmsen poured her heart and soul into. She was loving and thoughtful of others, someone who naturally gave of herself to those around her. Life was not always easy for Luella, but she never stopped seeing the joy in each new day. Although those who loved her now say goodbye, their lives will be forever changed for the better for having known such an extraordinary woman. Luella will be deeply missed and fondly remembered. Luella M. Harmsen died Wednesday, December 8, 2010. Luellas family includes her daughters, Janet Collinge of Hudsonville, Sue (Roy) Welch of Muskegon, and Mary (Eric) Packer of Allendale; grandchildren, Jennifer (Mike) Jones, Stephanie (Mark) Schultz, Angie (Frank) Smith, Carly (Jonathan) Van Eck, Tony Packer; great- grandchildren, Lauren, Kendall, Cody, Kyle, Brianna, Avery; brother, Robert (Carol) Burghduf of Muskegon; sisters, Betsy Colella, Bonnie Gebhart, Helen (Roger) Lensegrav all of Muskegon; many nieces & nephews. Luella was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Virginia Markavitch; brother and sister-in-law, James (Shirley) Burghduf. Services will be held on Sunday, December 12, 2010, 4:00 p.m. at Clock Chapel, 1469 Peck St. - Muskegon. Visit with Luellas family and friends on Sunday, 2-4 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home Muskegon location Muskegon, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.