Margaret Hartsema

Margaret Hartsema was a loving and gentle woman who always gave selflessly to enrich the lives of those around her. Devoted to her family and her faith, she spent her life working tirelessly both inside and outside the home but was always able to enjoy the simple beauties in life. Though it fell within the timeframe of World War I, 1916 was a year marked by many great events. While Albert Einstein worked on completing his theory of relativity, Charlie Chaplin was at the height of his fame entertaining wartime audiences as a silent movie star. It was into this heightened world of war and laughter that Margaret Rose Green was born on May 6, 1916, in White Cloud, Michigan, to Gustaf and Hilma Sophia (Anderson) Green. She was the second youngest of seven children: Helen, Art, Carl, Mabel, Alice, Marge and Ed. The daughter of a farmer, Marge grew up on their familys farm on the banks of the White River, faced with the daily chores common to farm life. Typical of this time, their farm did not have electricity or indoor plumbing, and they harvested corn and raised chickens and cows. Although life on a farm did involve a lot of hard work, it was not without its share of excitement. Marge fondly remembers the Saturday night movies in town for a nickel, while at home, she and her siblings loved to play their wind up Victrola (phonograph), and dance around the house together. Marge received her education in the local one-room schoolhouse called Stockwell School, which had 32 students in grades 1st-8th. Marge was a very bright young lady, and often memorized and recited poetry, some even in Swedish. After graduating from White Cloud High School, Marge moved to Muskegon to attend the Howell School of Business. To support herself, she went to work at Jirochs, a candy and tobacco store, and it was while working there that she met her husband-to-be, Abraham J. Hartsema. Abes family owned a general store on the corner of Wood and Orchard Streets, and they would buy some of their supplies at Jirochs. Abe would pick up the supplies at Jirochs but would stay and visit Marge. He started visiting so often his father told him that he better marry the girl or buy the store. And he did just that Marge and Abe were happily married on March 8, 1939. The newlyweds settled into married life together in an apartment above the Hartsemas store in Muskegon. They lived frugally and saved every penny for several years, and by the mid 1950s, they were able to build a house on Orchard Street, paying cash for it from their savings. The new house was a big change for the family of six including the four children: Barb (1941), Ginger (1946), Kathy (1949) and Robert (1954). Marge loved being a mother and was always very involved in her kids schooling and other activities. She was on the PTA and proudly supported them in their band functions. During the summer, Marge loved to spend the day at the beach with her kids, and somehow she always found time to have fresh baked cookies in the house. Although Abe had to stay close to home because of work, the family enjoyed a few fun filled vacations at Silver Lake. As a family, they were also faithful members of the Berean Church, where Marge was active in the Joy Circle. Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Marge was a very gracious hostess, who loved to entertain. She hosted countless parties at their home, and just as many pool parties after the swimming pool was put in. The Hartsema home was one of the first to have a TV, and once their daughter Barbs entire class came over to watch the presidential elections. Abe was also known from time to time to bring home some salesmen for dinner without notice, but Marge always rose to the occasion. If family life wasnt enough, Marge also volunteered at the Hackley Hospital Cherry Guild, YWCA and was a member of PEO and Service League. She and Abe had a close group of friends they enjoyed socializing with. They would get together to play cards with their monthly Coke Club, and on Wednesdays the guys had a standing golf game while the women enjoyed time together. After her kids were all in school, Marge went to work at a clothing store called Angies. Being the classy and sharp dressed woman she was, Marge would model clothes for Angies and other local style shows. After Abe retired, the couple bought a house near Naples, Florida, and spent their winters there for nearly 20 years with their close group of friends from Muskegon. In the mid 1970s, the couple also moved to a home on Forest Park Road in Norton Shores where they would spend their retirement years. It wasnt long before Marge and Abe were the proud grandparents of five grandchildren and then eight great grandchildren, who affectionately called her LaLa. Like with her own children, Marge loved to take her grandkids on hikes, have picnic lunches and take them swimming. Every year, every holiday was celebrated her house, and she always made them special. Although Marges life was happy, it was marked by great sorrow. Marge lost her beloved husband Abe in 1996, after 57 years of marriage. She then moved into a condo near her church, which allowed her to walk to Sunday services. Dressed to the hilt and wearing high heels, she would trek to church, but unfortunately she became less graceful with age and suffered several falls resulting in a broken arm and a broken knee. Marge eventually went to live at Sanctuary at McAuley, where she was just as happy as ever and hopeful for every new day. While at McAuley she appreciated and loved the residents and staff alike. She never complained and was an inspiration to many. She was visited regularly by her daughter, Barb, and son-in-law, Paul, who took her out to eat and for leisure drives. A loving wife, mother and grandmother, Marge will be greatly missed and remembered always. Margaret R. Hartsema, age 92, died on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009, and is now in heaven with her Lord and Savior. She is survived by her son, Robert Hartsema, & friend, Steve Dimoff of Washington DC; daughters, Barbara (Paul) DeHorn of Norton Shores, Ginger (Bill) Hill of Portage, Kathy (Phillip) Novak of New Orleans; grandchildren: Cyndi Settecerri, David (Claire) DeHorn, Steve (Allison) DeHorn, Tobi (Dave) Hoeker, Philip Novak; great grandchildren: Lauren, Andrew, Daniel Settecerri, Sydney, Annika DeHorn, Drew, Noah, Will DeHorn; brother-in-law, Julius (Elizabeth) Hartsema of Muskegon; several nieces, nephews & cousins. She was preceded in death by her husband, Abe. Services will be on Friday, April 17, at 2:00 p.m. in Clock Chapel of Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon with Dr. James Carlson officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be on Thursday, April 16, from 6-8 p.m. and Friday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Berean Church Memorial Fund or Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Please visit Marges memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory/thought with her family or sign her online guest book.