Esther May Rodgers, age 98, a long-time resident of Grand Haven, went to Heaven on May 2, 2018. Esther was born to John and Ethel Hintz on January 2, 1920 on the family farm in Coopersville, Michigan. She was the youngest of 10 children who learned many life lessons from farm life and from having deaf/mute parents.
She attended a one-room school house, South Evergreen School, in Polkton Township. Esther always stressed the importance of a good education to all who knew her, especially her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She was especially proud of the fact that all her children and grandchildren went on to further their education with college degrees.
Esther was an excellent cook and enjoyed preparing meals for her family and friends. Over the years, she collected many “special” recipes that she’s passed on to her family. Esther’s love of baking and cooking led to a 27 year career in the cafeteria in Grand Haven School System after she retired in 1980.
She’s proud that her homemaking skills were passed along to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom enjoyed her cookies, brownies, and cakes. Esther, “Bunny,” was a loyal Tigers fan, who enjoyed watching them on TV and going to their games. She also loved going to as many events of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she could get to.
Some of Esther’s favorite hobbies included knitting, crocheting, sewing, and quilting. She made sure each grandchild and great-grandchild had several handmade gifts, even at the age of 98. Esther was a caring and compassionate person who always put her family, friends, and loved ones ahead of herself.
She also spent time watching the birds from her porch. Esther enjoyed the simple things in life and never took them for granted. She would often comment how thankful she was.
Esther was a member of First Baptist Church of Spring Lake since 1957, where she and her husband, William were very active members. She was a woman of strong faith who believed in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love, beauty, and peace that would await her at her passing. Esther married the late William J. Rodgers on November 11, 1938 at St. John’s Episcopal Church.
He preceded her in death on July 16, 1972. In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Patricia (Cummings); a grandson, Pastor Daniel Cummings; sisters, Edith, Bessie, Nina, Florence, and Dorothy; and brothers, Jack, Theodore, and Paul. Esther is survived by her four children, William (Kathie) Rodgers, David (Carrie) Rodgers, Dale (Freda) Rodgers, and Mary Ann (Dale) VanderWall; 13 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; four nieces; and her sister, Ruth Brifling of Coopersville, who is currently 107 years old and is the oldest living person in Michigan.
The Funeral Service for Esther will be at 11:00 am on Friday, May 4, 2018 at First Baptist Church in Spring Lake. Friends may meet the family from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Thursday, May 3, 2018 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Coopersville Historical Society-Museum for the South Evergreen School, First Baptist Church of Spring Lake, or charity of the donor’s choice.
The Rodgers Family would like to thank the entire staff at Hospice-Heartwood Lodge for the loving care given to our Mom. A special thank you goes to Pastor Doug Bytwerk for support and spiritual care. Please visit www.
klaassenfuneralhome.com to sign Esther’s online guest register. Arrangements by Klaassen Family Funeral Home. Donations may be made to: Coopersville Historical Society-Museum for South Evergreen School 363 Main St., Coopersville MI 49404 Tel: 1-616-997-7240 Web: www.
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