Sadie Larsen

We all face challenges in our lives, times of trial and trouble. Yet no matter what she faced, Sadie Larsen was simply unsinkable. She was a remarkable woman, a beautiful, buoyant lady who brightened the lives of everyone around her. Smiling Sadie she was called, for the broad grin she always wore. She was known for her smile, but loved for her heart, a heart she shared with all who knew her. Sadies story began on a cool fall day nearly a century ago, as the leaves came alive with color in Muskegon, Michigan. Those were times of great change in this country, as Henry Ford unveiled his Model T, the first automobile for average Americans, while the Wright Brothers were busy perfecting the airplane. Then on October 19, 1908, Charles and Rica (Flickema) Boelkins celebrated the birth of a beautiful baby girl, a daughter they named Sadie. The Dutch family lived on Strong Street in Muskegon, where Sadie was joined by her older siblings Irene, Nellie, Neal, Albert, and Harvey, and her baby brother Richard. Her father owned the Boelkins Market, providing well for his large and loving family. The family attended the Immanuel Christian Reformed Church, which later became the First Reformed Church. Sadie went to school through the eighth grade, then left to work at the family store full-time, as well as to help her ailing mother, who suffered from diabetes. Sadie worked at the store through the tough times of the Great Depression, but soon she would have a family of her own to consider. One day Sadie met a handsome young man named Einar Larsen, after they were set up on a blind date by Len and Gertrude Hollar. She was a little older than he was, but she loved the way he looked at her with his big, brown eyes. It was truly love at first sight for both of them. The happy young couple was married on April 17, 1935, a warm spring Wednesday in Muskegon. The newlyweds settled into a little apartment in their hometown, but after her mother sadly lost her battle with diabetes, the couple moved in with Sadies dad to help care for him. Einar was a hardworking man, who took a job as custodian at National Lumbermans Bank to provide for his new bride. He was a very bright man and a hard worker, eventually working his way up to the position of Vice President of the bank! The couple became parents in May of 1941, when their beautiful baby girl Jean came into their lives. Their family grew later on, as they raised Sadies sisters children, after she sadly died in childbirth. It was a terrible loss for the family, yet Sadie was a wonderful mother to the kids, and a source of strength and love, ever the unsinkable, Smiling Sadie. She had an incredibly positive attitude, and always knew that no matter what you face in life, you have to make the best of it. Sadie was a terrific wife and mother, and volunteered her time wherever she could. She volunteered as a ladies aid at church, and donated her time to all the fundraisers at Muskegon Christian Schools, too. The family built a beautiful summer home on West Lake in 1946, a log cabin Einar built by hand along with his brothers. The cabin became a beloved getaway for the entire family, and many of their vacations were spent there. Jean always invited her friends to the cottage to stay. They held the Boelkins family reunions there for many, many years, every Fourth of July, a beloved tradition. Naturally, Sadie was the favorite aunt of all her nieces and nephews. The cottage remains a beloved fixture in the family today, complete with many of the original furnishings! Sadie and Einar took other vacations, from Las Vegas to Hawaii, usually centered around banking conferences. Sadie was equally content to stay at her home, humming or singing hymns while she worked. Sadie was always singing, always smiling. When Sadie was in her 50s, she developed diabetes, just as her mother had. More was known about the disease by then, and Sadie controlled it with her diet and exercise, and walked all the time. She also never let it get her down, ever the unsinkable woman she was. She remained very active, and loved going for her walks or picking blueberries in the summertime. Sadies beloved Einar sadly died in 2001, after more than 65 wonderful years together. She remained positive and upbeat, though she missed him terribly. She relied on her faith and her family, and seeing her grandkids always brightened her days. In 2002, Sadie entered assisted living at the Christian Care home, which she enjoyed very much and naturally, made many new friends. Sadie was always everybodys sweetheart. In 2007, Sadies memory began to fade, and in the spring of 2008, she lost her eyesight, and needed to move to a nursing home. Slowly her health faded, and she died on May 4, 2008, a bright, sunny Sunday, at the age of 99. Sadie was a wonderful woman, who lived a long and wonderful life, a life full of family, faith and fond memories. She was such a sweet, loving lady, with an upbeat personality and unsinkable spirit. Smiling Sadie always found the silver lining in life, yet it is her golden heart we remember most today. She will be greatly missed. Sadie is survived by her daughter, Jean Oosting of Muskegon; grandchildren, Michael (Lori) Oosting of Grand Rapids, Marijean (Chuck) Mollett of Muskegon; great grandchildren, Devon, Alex, Taylor, Chaz, Marissa, Brandon, Chelsea; great great grandchildren, Tyler & Keagan; sisters-in-law, Florence Olsen & Carrie Larsen, both of Muskegon; several nieces & nephews. Mrs. Larsen was preceded in death by her husband, Einar in 2001; brothers, Albert (Kay) Boelkins, Harvey Boelkins, Neal (Lillian) Boelkins, Richard (Jean) Boelkins; sisters, Nellie (Fred) Roth, Irene (Harold) Essebaggers. Services are scheduled for Friday, May 9, 2008, 2:00 PM with visitation 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Chapel with Rev. Michael Borgert officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the First Christian Reformed Church or Christian Care Senior Care. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Sadie, or to sign her online guestbook.