Edna Rose Eskew's Obituary
Edna Rose Eskew, age 92, with her beautiful voice and joyous smile joined Heaven’s choir on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Edna was a faithful servant from the time she was born in Muskegon, Michigan on January 8, 1932, to Edward and Lillian (Olthoff) Tillema, and showed the love she has for Jesus through her attitude and love for others. She was a member of Discovering Christ Church where she sang in the choir, organized funeral luncheons and the church garage sales. She was popularly known for her amazing pies. Some could still argue, but her Apple, Pecan and Coconut Cream are among the favorites. She enjoyed cooking and serving meals including a delicious Christmas brunch each year for her family, followed by some desserts and card games. Edna was a ‘shark’ when it came to cards, and you could always count her in for a round of Cribbage. Edna married James “Bud” Eskew on December 11, 1949 and they were married for 43 years before he passed away on June 22, 1993. Together, they built a cottage on School Section Lake where they enjoyed time with family and on the water. Bud and Edna also built the SQ Farm on Riley Thompson Road where they raised cattle and chickens, had some horses and grew potatoes, strawberries and blueberries. Edna loved animals including her cats, German shepherds and the wildlife in her backyard and kept any food leftovers for her birds. She also enjoyed cutting her grass and weed whipping the yard even into her late 80s. She looked forward to spending time with her friends, going to church and out for breakfast either at Russ’ or Steak and Egger where she got the “Edna Special” which included a French toast with extra crispy bacon. Being the sweetheart she was, Edna always saw the good in people, never complained and was always a joy to be around. She will be deeply missed by her four children, Dave (Judy) Eskew, Jim (Deb) Eskew, Joanne (Terry) Start, and Deb (Jim) Vandenhouten; grandchildren, Sherri (Kevin) Jarembo, Jacob Eskew, Brent Eskew, Kristy (Steve) Sweet, Kelly (Casey) Vorron, Matthew (Anna) Start, Zack, Adam, Katie and James Vandenhouten; great-grandchildren, Aaron and Kyle Ward, Madison Morgan, Olivia and Kennedy Eskew, Breanna and Will Eskew, Brooke, Tara and Alexa Sweet, Rowan Vorron, and Makayla and Aria Start; brothers, Lester (Norma) Tillema, Glen (Linda) Tillema, Carl (Pam) Tillema; nieces and nephews including a special niece, Barb (Doug) Zayaz; a host of friends and church family. Our family will be forever grateful to Edna’s caregivers over the last couple of years, Jim and Deb Eskew, and recently the staff at the Poppen Residence. We would also like to give a special thank you to Barb Yonkman for being a great friend and picking Edna up for church and friend’s breakfast dates. A Funeral Service will be held on 11:30 AM Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at Discovering Christ Church, 2330 Holton Road, Muskegon 49445, with a visitation held from 10-11:30AM prior to the service. Burial will take place at East Dalton Oakhill Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Edna can be made out to Harbor Hospice Foundation or Discovering Christ Church. Arrangements entrusted to The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories at www.SytsemaFH.com
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