Harriett O. Chalker (Musk)'s Obituary
Harriett was born to Edward and Esther (Hermanson) Musk on 12/11/1922 and passed away on 10/3/2022.
She was a 1940 graduate of Muskegon Heights High School, followed by the Muskegon Business College. She organized her MHHS class reunions into her 90’s.
She married Fred J. Chalker of North Muskegon in 1947 and they raised three children.
They were together 53 years, until his death in 2000.
She had a long career as a secretary, retiring in 1982 from her position as executive assistant at the Muskegon Teamsters Union.
A member of the Muskegon Genealogical Society, she documented and computerized extensive Musk and Chalker family records. She was very interested in local history, and in her 80’s authored a historical account of the Staples & Covell Logging Wreck of 1894 which may be found in the State Library in Lansing.
Harriett was active in the Eastern Star, Genesis Chapter, often recognized as the one who greeted people and took their orders at the Masonic Temple Friday Night Fish Fry.
She was a two-time survivor of breast cancer and an advocate for women taking responsibility for their own health. She treated everyone with respect and dignity and did not tolerate injustice, bigotry, or unkindness.
A year before the Covid lockdown, she moved into Sanctuary at the Oaks, where she received exceptional care. She was a grandmother figure to her caregivers and considered them extended family.
Harriett was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her sister, Shirlie (Musk) Crane. She leaves three children: Nancy (Stan) Takis, Mary (Ed) Mendoza, and Fred (Lisa) Chalker; five grandchildren: John (Katie Phillips) Takis, Christopher (Lisa) Takis, Lauren (Carter) Johnson, Jesse Mendoza, and Elissa Chalker; three great-grandsons: Cole, Asher and Nicholas; and two great-granddaughters: Eleni and Rinn.
A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, October 8, at 1:00 pm at First Congregational Church, with visitation at the church one hour prior.
Funeral Arrangements by The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St. Norton Shores, MI 49444 (231) 798-1100. Share memories with the family online at http://www.sytsemafh.com. In lieu of flowers, please consider a more lasting donation to the Harbor Hospice Foundation or First Congregational Church in her memory.
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