Zelma Christner

Zelma Ann Christner was a wonderful mother, adoring grandmother, and cherished friend. In her lifetime, she weathered hardship by the strength of her character and the gift of family and friendships. Zelma worked hard, not only nurturing her children, but also extending herself toward everyone under her care. She was generous with her love and laughter, making life better for those around her. Zelma was born at a time when families were struggling to make life good for their children, amid the hardships of the Depression. Farm families like LaVern and Thelma (Polmanteer) Besemer of Fremont, Michigan had the advantage of raising all their own food. In this way they were well-off despite the lack of electricity, running water and indoor plumbing. When Zelma Ann was born on September 7, 1936, she joined her older sister Jean, and two years later was joined by her younger brother Chuck. As they grew up, Jean and Chuck helped their father on the cattle farm and Zelma learned how to cook and keep house from her mother. When the children were teenagers, the family bought and moved to the Morning Star Orchard in Rothbury where they grew cherries, apples, plums, and other crops. The experiences on the farm gained Zelma the work ethic and skills that sustained her throughout her life. Zelma was in her teens and caring for her infant son when she met a young man named Robert Christner. They were married in September of 1952, and Zelma, Robert and baby Wayne settled into an apartment in Fremont. To provide for the young family, Robert drove a delivery truck for a dry cleaner during the day, and at night he drove a taxi owned by Zelma's father. In September of 1953, their dear daughter Connie was born, but just nine months later Zelma and Robert divorced. Zelma was single with two children and pregnant with her third child, Chuck, who was born in 1955. Zelma had no choice but to go to work. She took a job as a waitress in several local restaurants in Fremont. When the children were a little older, they came to work with her and even helped out by pouring coffee. In time, Zelma bought and ran a restaurant in Rothbury. Imagine all those hours on the job, and her house was always clean! Zelma's kids said you could "eat off the floor." She worked extremely hard to provide the best for her children. They were her life, and she loved and cared for them with all her heart. Zelma's family grew when she met and married Roger Stevens. He was 25 years older than she and worked as a security guard before helping at the restaurant. Their son Roger was born in 1958, and the twins, Randy and Renee, were born in 1960. But when problems for Roger spilled over into work and family life, he and Zelma split up and she lost the restaurant. Once again, she was a single mom with five kids, living in a small apartment in Rothbury and later in a two-bedroom house in Cloverville. She kept working as a waitress, sometimes holding down three jobs at a time. All the while, Zelma kept the house clean and continued to wash clothes by hand. Her oldest daughter Connie stepped up to help around the house when Zelma was at work and became "second Momma" to the younger children. They all learned to value the importance of family as much as Zelma did. Life for Zelma was not all work and no play. She learned to hunt from her friend Leo, and she was good at it. Zelma loved to be out in the woods, and on occasions some of her children would go hunting with her. She also found time to take vacations, often with her friend Sandy. Later on, she took to traveling with her children and grand children to visit nearly every state in the Union. She even went on a cruise and swam with the dolphins in the Bahamas. Zelma was privileged to travel to England and Ireland with the Maycroft Squaretappers, a group of kids who performed on stage wearing costumes stitched by Zelma. Besides being a talented seamstress, she was a great cook. She enjoyed baking cakes and was known to make "naughty" cakes for wedding showers and other special occasions. By her nature, Zelma kept life interesting and fun. Zelma loved her family and friends. She kept up with her friends and enjoyed talking with them and telling stories. On a daily basis she was in contact with her family, which was extended to include friends of her family. Zelma adored her grandkids and was not only involved in their lives, but also with the neighborhood kids. Whenever her family or friends needed help with their children, Zelma readily took them in. She became a vital part of raising her best friend Laura's daughter, Chelsey. The truth is, Zelma cared for everyone. It was said of her that "she didn't have 6 kids, she had 600." Zelma was always there for others, and family and friends were there for her when she most needed them. In 1972, the night of her son Wayne's wedding, Zelma was in a serious car accident. Two people died, two of her children were badly injured, and Zelma herself endured a near-death experience. With severe injury to her leg, Zelma spent the next six months in the hospital and was in a wheelchair for a year. Then she went to church with her friend Sandy, and at the service she got up and took a few steps. It was the beginning of her recovery, and eventually Zelma was walking with a crutch. She just kept on going and even went back to work as an in-home caregiver. Once again, she found a way to get by and managed to pay off the house she had purchased just prior to her accident. Despite her own handicap, Zelma helped many people. It's who she was, selfless and caring. Tragedy struck again in 1987 when Zelma's son Randy died. His death was harder on her than her own illness, which manifested itself in later years. Though she had not felt well for a long time, doctors were unable to diagnose her illness. While she went through test after test, Zelma continued to care for her aging mother. Finally, a diagnosis of leukemia was determined. It is a deep sorrow to the family that Zelma died just a few days later. Zelma's family and friends will miss her sorely and treasure her in their hearts forever. Mrs. Zelma A. Christner, age 70, died Tuesday, March 13, 2007. She is survived by her mother, Thelma Hugall of Muskegon; 3 sons, Wayne Hugall of Rothbury, Chuck Christner and his 3 daughters of Muskegon, Roger Scott Stevens of Ravenna; 2 daughters, Connie Steele of Spring Lake and Renee (Dennis) Stanley of York, SC; 10 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Hunter of Grand Rapids; many nieces, nephews and foster children; best friend, Laura Cooper; special granddaughter, Chelsey Cooper and special friend, Danny Martinez. She was preceded in death by her son, Randy Stevens in 1987 and her brother, Charles Besemer in 2004. Zelma was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of Spring Lake and a member of Tatra Hall. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Saturday, March 17, 2007, 11:00 PM at Clock Chapel-Muskegon. Visitation on Friday, 6-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Muskegon. Memorial contributions made to the family will be greatly appreciated.