Sadie Vangennep

Sadie VanGennep was one of those special people who appreciated the many things that make life so valuable family, friends and faith. A devoted, wife, mother and grandmother, Sadie lived in harmony with her beliefs and ideals, knowing that nothing was more important than the love of family. In 1917, life in the United States was very different from what it is today. Things such as women having the right to vote, long distance travel and communications, and workplace rights and safety were not realities. For Henry Kieft and his wife, Tena (Vanderstelt), living in Muskegon, Michigan, daily concerns were not with voting rights or workplace safety, but rather with providing a home for their family, which was getting ready to get bigger in the spring of 1917. On May 18, 1917, the couple delighted in welcoming their daughter, Sadie. A happy and energetic little girl, Sadie grew up in Muskegon with her sister, three brothers and eventually one stepbrother. Never without a playmate, she was always looking for some fun, and she especially loved going to the beach. Sadie married the love of her life, Al (Ollie) VanGennep, on June 29, 1940, in Muskegon. They spent the next 59 years together, raising their four children: Jimmy Ray, Joyce, Sandra, and Sherri, and sharing many wonderful memories as a family. Sadie and Ollie had a wonderful relationship and they shared many common interests. They had the cutest nicknames for each other you Tarzan, me Jane. Like in her childhood, Sadie loved the beach, the sun and water, and she and Ollie both loved to go boating and fishing regularly. During the last weeks on this Earth, Sadie and her daughter often visualized about being somewhere else, and Sadie was always on the boat with the lulling of the waves putting her to sleep. The family also spent many vacations camping around the area. In later years, Sadie and Ollie loved to spend time in Sebastian, which is on the east coast of the Florida Peninsula. Here, Sadie was in heaven with all the sand, sun and water she wanted. They also lived their dream of playing gypsy and exploring the west. Sadie was a wonderfully devoted wife, mother and grandmother. There wasnt anything she wouldnt do for her loved ones. There was no doubt, though, when someone was in trouble with her because Sadie had this beady look she gave, and that said it all. Being a doting grandmother was one of Sadies favorite roles, and nothing made her happier than to spend time with her cherished grandchildren. It was said that Sadie was a very prim and proper lady her family called her Sadie the Lady. She couldnt even go to the mailbox without making sure her hair, clothes and jewelry were just right. Her favorite colors were pink and blue. Even Sadies eyebrows were perfectly groomed. In the last weeks of her life, she would even make sure they were filled in before going to bed because she didnt want to go to Clocks without them. Besides being a devoted wife and mother, Sadie worked as a seamstress for Amazon and the Yankee Peddler for a while. At home, she was an amazing baker and was especially known for her homemade bread and bran muffins; she literally inspected every muffin to make sure they were perfect! Church was also very important to her, and she attended Berean Church regularly. Although Sadie had a happy life, it was also marked by great sorrow. Sadie lost her son, Jimmy Ray, when he was still young, which devastated her, and she lost her beloved Ollie in 1999. Her 90th birthday, however, was a time of great joy for her entire family was together for it. Sadie passed away in the arms of her three daughters on Sunday, June 14, 2009. Sadie VanGennep was a very optimistic and confident woman who lived by the motto Take care of your own. She cherished her family with all her heart, caring for them in times of need, and celebrating with them in times of joy. She will be greatly missed. Sadie is survived by her Daughters, Joyce (James) Hoeker of Muskegon, Sandra (John) Martin of IN, Sherri (Mike) Lintjer of Muskegon; 9 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren; several nieces & nephews; sisters-in-law, Rita VanGennep & Harriet Kieft. She was preceded in death by her husband, Aldrich; son, Jimmy Ray VanGennep; grandson, Jimmy Joe Hoeker; 3 brothers, 1 stepbrother & 1 sister. A celebration of Sadie's life will take place on Thursday, June 18, 2009, 1:00 PM at Clock Chapel in Muskegon with Rev. Dwight Reed officiating. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Friends may meet with the family on Wednesday, from 4-7 PM and Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.