Honoring Tradition.
Celebrating Life.
//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-life-panel.jpg

Sarah J. Edge

May 12, 1916 - April 13, 2015
Grand Rapids, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-01.jpg



Visitation

Saturday, April 18, 2015
9:30 AM to 11:00 AM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Service

Saturday, April 18, 2015
11:00 AM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Faith Hospice
8214 Pfeiffer Farms Dr. SW
Byron Center, MI 49315
(616) 235-5113
Driving Directions
Web Site

Christian Rest Home Foundation
1000 Edison NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Life Story / Obituary


//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg
Print

Countless memories fill the hearts of those who knew and loved Sarah Edge. A strong willed woman who knew how to stand her ground, she was just as gracious and kind. More than anything, it brought Sarah much happiness having her family by her side. In them, she found her greatest joy. Remembered fondly, she will be deeply missed.

Despite unrest in the world, the country of the Netherlands remained quite neutral as tensions increased leading up to World War I. A major thoroughfare for imports, the Netherlands was a crucial support for this thriving economy. Yet nestled in the small Dutch hamlet of Oudfosmeer, the birth of Sarah Jacomina on May 12, 1916 could not have made her parents, John Martin and Elizabeth (Jeronese) VanEss much happier.

The second of eventually eight children, Sarah joined her older brother, Anthony, and two younger sisters, Gertrude and Nell in their family home. With hopes of better tomorrows, the picture perfect landscape of the homeland young Sarah had become so accustomed to in her early years was to be no more. In 1925, her family made their way to the United States to begin anew.

Once in the U.S., the VanEss family settled in the northeast Grand Rapids area of Michigan and quickly became accustomed to the American way of life. Sarah’s father worked as a furniture maker while her mother worked for Judge Higbey and remained at home with the children, including the addition of Marie, John, Peter, and Bernadine. Throughout their lives, Sarah and her siblings remained very close, and saw each other often. Many enjoyable times were shared through the years on family outings during the warm months of summer, especially times spent at family cottages on Green Lake. Christmas gatherings were also a special time in Sarah’s family, and they enjoyed visiting relatives in Dutton, Michigan.

Sarah graduated from Davis and it wasn’t long before Sarah landed a job working at the Michigan Veterans Facility, now known as the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans. At work, a co-worker set Sarah up on a date with a young man by the name of Basil Edge. After dating for a time, they soon found themselves in love. On July 12, 1939, Sarah and Basil were happily married at the home of Judge Higbey where her mother worked as a housekeeper.

Following a memorable honeymoon in Chicago, Illinois, the newlyweds began their new lives together and moved in with Basil’s father in Marne. After two years, they bought a home of their own on Arthur Street in Marne where they raised their three daughters, Betty Joy, Sara Fay, and Nadine Gay. Sarah was an anchor of loving stability in their home. She was a strict disciplinarian, and was also very protective. While Basil supported their family working at Oliver Machine Products, Sarah filled summers days with plenty of chores for herself and the girls. There were a multitude of projects, including gardening and picking fruits and vegetables for canning and freezing, along with plenty of cleaning, kitchen chores and housework.

Sarah was an excellent cook. She made the best rhubarb pie and bonket, a delicious Dutch almond pastry. She loved having get-togethers for the holidays and through the years made wonderful Thanksgiving dinners for her family. She loved seafood, especially from the Texas Gulf Coast. Basil was an avid hunter and fisherman, and often brought home rabbit, venison, turtle, fish and morel mushrooms for Sarah to cook up.

Many family vacations were enjoyed visiting the to New England states, Washington, D.C., Virginia, the Four Corner states, and New Orleans for Mardi Gras. They also took in the wonders of Yellowstone National Park, the Black Hills, the Canadian Rockies, and the St. Lawrence River. In her lifetime, Sarah visited all 50 states, went to Alaska, and traveled above the Artic Circle. When it came to music, she loved the sounds of Liberace, and The Three Tenors. In her quiet time, she was an avid reader of history and romance novels. Sarah treasured her collection of Dutch tea cups, many of which were given to her as gifts. She not only kept busy raising her family, but their dog, HiFi, an English bulldog was an integral part of their family, too.

As a couple, Sarah and Basil often joined their neighbors for cards on Saturday nights. Many fun times were spent at the beach in the summers with their children and friends, and they were always the first campers to set-up each year at Grand Haven State Park. In the winters, great memories were made taking in the many sliding hills around the area. Basil kept busy as a member of the Masonic Temple while Sarah gave her time and talents as a member of the Eastern Star.

In the heart of Sarah, nothing compared to spending time with her grandchildren and later, great-grandchildren. She taught them craft projects, and she loved attending their many school and sporting activities. Although a strong woman, when Sarah’s beloved Basil died in 1980, family sustained Sarah during this time.

Always gracious and kindhearted, Sarah loved being involved in the lives of her family. Although she was strong willed and stood firm in her beliefs, her love and devotion to the family she adored never waned. In time she began living at the Christian Rest Home where she became involved and made numerous friends. For these things and much more, Sarah will be forever remembered and fondly missed.

Mrs. Sarah J. Edge aged 98, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, April 13, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, Basil in 1980; siblings, Anthony, Nellie, John, Peter, and Bernadine; and sister-in-law, Cletamae Purdy. She is survived by her daughters, Betty (Charles) DeWesse, Sara Fay Edge, and Nadine McAlester; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters, Gertrude Bergman and Marie Kelly. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW with Celebrant Lee Riedl officiating. The family will receive visitors from 9:30 AM until the time of the service. Contributions in her memory may be made to Faith Hospice or to the Christian Rest Home Foundation. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a favorite memory or photo of Sarah and to sign her online guestbook.

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-02.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-03.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-04.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/obituaries/016/106990/106990-05.jpg//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/download-memory-folder.jpg