Edith Petzak

Edie Petzak was a generous, graceful and sincere mother, wife, grandmother and friend. We were blessed to learn many valuable lessons from our Mom during her 81 years. She lived out her last years with the same grace that she had exhibited throughout her life. Edie was a very practical person, but always with a touch of flair and an easy style. She always sought to make things special, but not over the top. She was described by many as a classy lady.

Edie was born on August 16, 1934, to Harry and Katherine Mund. The Munds were a strong-willed, hard-working family, living on a small dairy farm in Reed City, Michigan. They were as self-sufficient as possible selling eggs, vegetables, milk and grains. Her family thrived on music as a form of community and entertainment. Although Edie never formally learned to read or play music, she developed an incredible talent for playing the piano by ear.

She often told the story of her first driving experience in which she accidentally ran over several of the neighbor’s chickens! In school, she was very athletic, playing basketball, running track, and cheering on her high school team, the Reed City Coyotes. Edie was an honor student and Salutatorian of her class, and remained in contact with many of her classmates through their 55th high school reunion.

Edie met the love of her life, Richard (Dick) Petzak, who was a young soldier on military leave, at a teenage hangout in Ludington. They married in 1955 and soon began a family, living in Watervliet and then East Jordan, Michigan. They eventually settled in Holland, Michigan in 1968 with their three children, Mike, Rick and Pam.

Soon after, she was employed by Donnelly Mirrors in the Human Resources Department, where she worked for over 25 years. To this day, her children continue to meet people who worked with her and speak of her fondly.

Edie began her love of cooking at a young age, and many family gatherings were centered around her wonderful meals. She always granted each family member’s request for a favorite dish on their birthday. Potato salad, vegetable beef soup, coconut cake, and banana cream pie were some of her specialties, though she was always her own toughest critic.

She and Dick were avid travelers, exploring extensively throughout North America (visiting all 50 states), as well as Central America, Australia, New Zealand, and much of Europe. Some of Edie’s most memorable trips were to Nova Scotia, St. Edwards Island and New Brunswick. They also enjoyed a cruise to Alaska, a cross-country railroad trip, and several vacations to Hawaii.

There were many happy memories made at their Holland Heights home, including the annual 4th of July turtle race, their 25th Anniversary Pig Roast, and swimming lessons and parties at the pool. Their lives were surrounded by family and friends, and they spent countless hours with grandchildren Katie, Danielle, Tyler, Brooke and Justin. They attended their many sporting events, and were always some of the most enthusiastic fans in the crowd.

Edie took great joy in establishing family traditions. She and Dick loved taking their children on late night toboggan rides on Christmas Eve to look for Santa’s sleigh. When her grandchildren were born, she quilted them baby blankets as keepsakes. When they were old enough, she began a new tradition to hunt for the pickle ornament on Christmas Day, which she had craftily hidden somewhere in the house. The winner of this hunt would always receive a velvet bag of golden dollar coins. Her beautiful penmanship and custom of including a two-dollar bill in Valentine’s Day cards was treasured by the whole family.

Playing bridge, reading, cooking, and her Blue Stockings Book Club were her passions. She also spent time volunteering at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church. Although Edie claimed otherwise, she never lost her inner-child, as she spent her 80th birthday zip-lining at John Ball Park Zoo.

Edie was a class act, and will be missed by so many.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard (Dick) of 57 years.

Edie is survived by her children, Mike and Rhonda Petzak of Holland, Rick and Dawn Petzak of Zeeland, and Pam Petzak of Zeeland; grandchildren Katie and Ned Tomasevic, Danielle and Justin Hawkes, Tyler Petzak, Brooke Petzak, and Justin Petzak; brother Harold and Jean Mund of Colorado, and sister-in-law LaWanda Mund of Sparta; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gordon and Alice Petzak of Manistee, Delores and Otto Larson of Ludington, Ronald Petzak of Tennessee, Joyce and Duane Bogus of Ludington, Rogene and Jerry O’Brien of Ludington, and Sharon Petzak of Ludington, many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral mass will be held at 11:00am Saturday, January 30, 2016 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 480 North 152nd Avenue in Holland. Father Frank Lenz will be officiating.

A graveside service will be held at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, January 29, 2016, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. with vigil prayers and sharing of memories (Memory Circle) from 7:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dykstra Funeral Home-Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street in Holland. All family and friends are welcome to participate in the Memory Circle and share their stories and memories with Edie’s family. Visitation will also take place from 10:00 to 10:45 am prior to the funeral mass at the church.

Memorial contributions may be given to Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church or Hospice of Holland.