Coover, Emma

Other Events:

• Biography: From Lifestory.net

Notes:

Biography:
LIFESTORY:
It can be difficult to condense a life that spanned 101 years into just a few mere paragraphs, but Emma Bongers was an extraordinary woman whose life is certainly worth reflecting upon. Her life boasts of a deep love for those she treasured most, and she devoted her life to showing them just how much she adored each and every family member and friend. Emma was a woman of strong conviction who never shied away from persevering through times of trial. As her life spanned times of war and times of peace, times of triumph and times of trial, Emma was shaped into the remarkable woman who was loved by so many.

Turning back the pages of time to the year 1909 would reveal a very different way of life in America. Henry Ford had just revealed the Model T, the first subway car with side doors entered into service in New York City, and the Wright Brothers delivered the first military plane to the Army. The Industrial Age was in full swing and with that, mass production made prices fall to all time lows, and radio broadcasts changed the way that Americans kept in tune with the news of the day. It was also during the year 1909 that Harry and Mary (Hunt) Coover welcomed the birth of their daughter, Emma, on January 15th. Emma was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and she was joined in her family by younger sister Lucy just two years later. She was raised in the family home on Limekiln Lake on the northeast side of the city until their family moved to N Edwards in Kalamazoo some time later. Times were different back when Emma was growing up and instead of going to school, many of the nation's youth were found in the workplace. In fact, less than one-third of school-aged children ever went to school and less than 10 percent went on to graduate from high school. Emma was one of the few who did receive a formal education, however, as she attended Lincoln School and later graduated in the late twenties.

Also of great significance during this time was Emma's introduction to a young man who would forever change the course of her life. His name was Henry Bongers, and they met in the neighborhood as he worked at the local paper mill that was only a few blocks away from Emma's home. After dating for a time, the couple was united in marriage in 1929, the very same year that the stock market crashed, which led to the Great Depression of the thirties. The newlyweds settled into an apartment on N Edwards where they welcomed a total of four children over a span of fourteen years. In order to accommodate their growing family, Emma and Henry later moved to a home on Parchmount Avenue in Parchment. They later built a home on Riverview Drive, but in the late fifties, Henry was transferred to Fort Orange Paper Company, in Caselton on Hudson, New York, located just outside of the New York metropolitan area. After living in New York for a short time, their family then returned to Michigan once more and built a home in Plainwell.

There are some women who simply seem to be born to be mothers and Emma was truly one such woman. Although life around their home could certainly be hectic at times, she made balancing the responsibilities of being a wife, mother, and homemaker seem effortless. Emma cherished her role as a mother and was the "good cop" when it came to raising the children. She was a talented cook and always made sure that her children were provided for in every way.

Although caring for her home and family kept Emma quite busy, she did find time to pursue some of her interests as well. She loved to crochet and throughout her lifetime, she made many items - even well into her nineties. Emma also enjoyed playing bingo, usually with 12 cards, and she played in various places throughout the area. She didn't watch much television but when she did, she liked watching soap operas or The Price Is Right. Emma enjoyed traveling with her sister Lucy including a memorable trip to Nashville, Tennessee. She also traveled with her husband from time to time, which included a trip to Mammoth Cave on one occasion. When it came to music, Emma enjoyed listening to country and western.

Nothing could have prepared Emma for the tremendous joy that her grandchildren would bring her later in life. She was blessed with eight grandchildren altogether, and they were each the light of her life. When Emma was in her late eighties, she moved in with her daughter and son-in-law in Gobles. About four years ago, she spent some time in a local nursing home but when her health allowed, she was able to return back to her home where she remained until she drew her last breath surrounded by her loving family.

Emma Bongers was a woman who was completely focused on her family and spent much of her time tending to the needs of those she loved. She lived many places throughout her life, but no matter where she was, her home was always a welcome haven to those who entered in. Emma lived a long and fulfilling life full of precious memories that will be so cherished by all who knew and loved her. She leaves behind lessons in compassion, sacrifice, and grace that will surely withstand the test of time. Emma will be dearly missed.

Emma V. Bongers of Gobles, formerly of Plainwell, died on January 31, 2010, at her residence. Emma's family includes her 4 children, Henry (Mary) Bongers, Harry (Betty) Bongers, Marilyn (John) Eberhardt, Diane (Phil) Marlett, 8 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great- granddaughters. Family and friends will be received on Thursday from 10-11 a.m. where a service to honor Emma's life will be held at 11 a.m. at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes - Kalamazoo, MI, 6080 Stadium Dr. 375-2900. Interment Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guestbook, share a memory or photo, or make a memorial contribution to Borgess Hospice.

Emma married Bongers, Henry 14 Nov 1929, Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA. Henry (son of Bongers, John Martin and Vosters, Hattie) was born 11 Aug 1906, Little Chute, Outagamie, Wisconsin, USA; died Abt Oct 1969; was buried , Mount Olivet Cemetery, Eastwood, Michigan, USA. [Group Sheet]

Henry married Unknown, Mary [Group Sheet]

Harry married Unknown, Betty [Group Sheet]

Marilyn married Eberhardt, John [Group Sheet]

Diane married Marlett, Phil [Group Sheet]