Adrianna "Ada" Molnar

For 90 years, Ada Molnar lived with ways all her own surrounded by the love of family and close friends. With the need to always keep her hands busy, she could prove to be a little feisty at times, too with her often times strong spirited nature. Yet for Ada, family was always at the center of her heart. Gone but never to be forgotten, she leaves much to be remembered and will be fondly missed.

Ada’s story began in what was then known as the rural community of Comstock Park, Michigan. By 1926, the heyday of the Roaring Twenties brought forth exciting times in America. The invention of antifreeze allowed drivers to use their vehicles in the winter, and the infamous Route 66 was created, running from Chicago, Illinois to Los Angeles, California. While major U.S. manufacturers were implementing the beginning of the first eight-hour, five-day work week, factory towns were flourishing. Yet for Ernest and Louise (Dietrich) Walters, the days were filled with unparalleled joy when they celebrated the birth of their daughter, Adrianna March 17, 1926. Although Ada always celebrated her birthday on March 17, it wasn’t until years later when she saw her birth certificate and it stated, March 16. Even so, Ada always believed her birthday to be the 17th of March.

During her youth, the onset of the Great Depression cast a shadow of financial despair far and wide, but Ada and her family remained hopeful. Like many at the time, they had a garden, raised their own chickens and even raised cows. Having grown up in their family home on West River Drive, Ada was the third of eventually four daughters born to her parents. Sadly, her younger sister died around the age of one. Ada was very close to her sisters, especially Betty who she was in the same grade with. A young girl typical of her generation, Ada enjoyed the friendships of many. She was quite a social girl, learned to play the guitar, and she enjoyed roller skating. She loved sports and in school she played basketball. Ada attended Comstock Park School, a school that went from elementary through high school and from where she would eventually graduate.

Like all young girls, Ada had hopes and dreams for a bright future despite the perils of World War II. It was during this time when she attended a birthday party and met a handsome young man by the name of James “Jim” Molnar. He was nursing an injury and Ada felt sorry for him, so they began talking. Only the beginning, the two enjoyed their first date together at Wenger’s Bowling shortly after meeting and they went on to date for over a year. With a deep, abiding love, Ada and Jim were happily married on June 14, 1947 and together they enjoyed a memorable honeymoon at Niagara Falls.

The newlyweds began their new life as husband and wife living in an apartment above Jim’s mother’s home. For several years, Ada worked at the Knape and Vogt factory until beginning a family of their own with the birth of their son, Tom. In 1955 they built their forever home on 8th Street where they welcomed the births of their children, Danny and Susan. Nearly every summer, Ada and her family enjoyed vacations, a few years going back to Niagara Falls, other local getaways as well as a few throughout the U.S.

Numerous memories were made as a family enjoying the holidays and other special occasions. Although strict with her children, Ada was a very supportive and involved mother in her children’s lives and activities. One year when she helped coach Tom’s baseball team, she even earned Coach of the Year. Although Ada was a good cook, she never really liked to cook. She did, though, like to bake and made the most delicious bankets, Cherry-Go-Rounds, and pies.

Ada preferred remaining at home taking care of her family, although she did like visiting with the neighbors. She loved to sew, and later, crochet and knit. She made clothes for herself, her daughter and others. She and Susan always had matching outfits for the holidays, and later she also made wedding dresses and blankets she’d often give to family and friends. In later years, she was proud of her work, making caps for newborns and sewing with other women in her church to make things for those in need. Ada often stayed busy working with her hands while watching TV. She loved watching sports on TV like baseball and hockey, and usually with Jim. They also enjoyed bowling for many years, and in addition, they were longtime members of St. Johns United Church of Christ.

When her daughter, Susan reached about the 3rd grade, Ada returned to the workforce. She cleaned offices at Wolverine Brass for a time, and later did sewing piecework for HH Cutler from where she eventually retired. Although Ada was really quite a homebody at heart, Jim loved to travel. In retirement years, they did some traveling, enjoying Hawaii as well as trips to Atlanta a couple of times each year to see their daughter and granddaughter. Not an easy passenger because she often had some advice for the driver, Ada did most of the driving where ever they went. They were active with the Boat and Canoe Club, as well, and Ada even worked the bingo games held there and also enjoyed working the coat room during New Years Eve parties.

Ada and Jim were polar opposites. While he was quite social, she was not. Jim liked traveling and activities outside of home but Ada preferred to remain at home. He was outgoing, yet she was not. They say opposites attract, and although Jim was very easy going, Ada was known to speak her mind. She was never really eloquent with words, and sometimes she came across rather crass with her feisty demeanor. They did however, share their love for sports.

When Ada’s beloved Jim passed away in 2007 following a lengthy illness, the love and support from her family and friends sustained her. With a tremendous amount of support from her family, Ada was able to remain at home, but with much help from her family whom she dearly loved. Ada may have shown love in her own, unique way, but her children and those closest to her knew it just the same. Last month, it was clear Ada required additional care as her health deteriorated, and on January 5, 2017, Ada passed away at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital. Ada will be forever missed and remembered.

Adrianna "Ada" Molnar, age 90 of Grand Rapids, passed away Thursday, January 5, 2017. She is survived by her children, Tom & Susan Molnar, Danny & Darlene Molnar, Susan Saetz; granddaughter, Brittany & Casey Wasserman as well as several nieces and nephews. Ada was preceded in death by her husband, James; her granddaughter, RuthAnn Reikes; and sisters, Florence Bischoff, Betty Tryon and Ernestine Walters. The service to remember and celebrate her life will be held on Monday, January 9, 2017, 1:00 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW where friends may visit with her family on Sunday from 2-5 PM and on Monday from noon until the service. Her family suggests in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to either Crashes Landing or an animal rescue of your choice. To read more about Ada's life, to share a photo or memory and to sign her online guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.