Christine Alice Sund

Christine Sund was a wonderful person to know and to love. She lived her life with fierce resilience that supported her during life’s greatest challenges. Compassionate and generous, she was well-loved by her family. Her warm personality and her genuine concern for others will be dearly missed by her many special friends and loved ones.

Christine’s story begins on November 23, 1937, in Grand Rapids, Michigan while the nation was still recovering from tough economic times. That same year, the Dust Bowl storms continued, the iconic Golden Gate Bridge opened, and the pilot Amelia Earheart went missing. Christine Alice was born to IIo and Velda Koning bringing great joy and hope into their lives. Born the third child of eleven children, they were always proud to have raised such a helpful and supportive daughter.

Her family grew up on the northwest side of town on Sinclair Street. Her father was a successful automotive graphic artist who created one of the Dodge Ram designs while her mother was a homemaker. Christine left school in the tenth grade, so she could stay home and help her mother with her younger siblings. She learned her way in the kitchen at a young age and carried her talents with cooking well into her later years. Devoted Christians, her family studied the Bible and learned to walk in faith. Hardworking and ambitious, at the age of eighteen, Christine took a job with Lear in the gyro lab. Her work later led her to General Motors at the Fisher Body Plant on Alpine NW. Talented with sewing machines, she enjoyed working in the upholstery division. Christine was lucky to meet, Ed Sund, the man of her dreams through her brother Don. They instantly fell in love and later married on November 3, 1954. They rented a small apartment until they later built their family home on Leonard NW in Ottawa County. They were proud that the home survived the 1956 Tornado! That same year they welcomed their first child, Ed Jr, who was later followed by their children, Shirley and Russell. As their family grew, she and Ed purchased a farmhouse down the street that remained their forever home.

Ed drove a Redi Mix truck for Grand Rapids Gravel to provide for the family while Christine left work when the two younger kids had measles and remained a homemaker. Christine enjoyed cooking and baking from scratch and became known for her famous cinnamon and pecan rolls. She prepared large home-cooked meals with enough to use as leftovers throughout the week. As a family, they practiced a strong faith life. They were active members of St. Paul’s Episcopal, later known as St. Paul’s Anglican Catholic Church. They also enjoyed many years of camping together at Higgins Lake, Gun Lake, and Lake Mitchell. Many of these trips were the highlights of their years raising their family. While the kids often played outdoors, Christine enjoyed being inside reading or doing housework. An avid seamstress, she enjoyed making their clothes. On their property was a large orchard where they grew apples that they sold to Gerber Foods in Fremont. The entire family pitched in to help out on the orchard. These many special memories bonded them together.

She and Ed lived a full life. The two of them remained in love and enjoyed one another’s company. They enjoyed the simple pleasures in life including garage sale shopping. Often they would take along their granddaughter, Amanda. She grew to love finding treasures and often visits sales in their honor! In 2007, her beloved husband Ed died from complications of heart surgery. Her generous son, Russell, moved in allowing Christine to remain at home. During these years, he tenderly cared for her until she moved into Yorkshire Manor just three weeks ago when she needed more care. Faithful and devoted to a life of strong Christian values, Christine always trusted in the Lord. She was known to never take a single day for granted and enjoyed every moment spent with loved ones. She counted her blessings and wanted nothing more than the very best for her many special friends and loved ones. May they always look back fondly on her rich collection of memories and may their lives reflect the joy and wisdom she shared with each of them over the years.

Christine Alice Sund, age 89, of Grand Rapids, MI went to be with our Lord and Savior on Wednesday, August 17, 2022, after a long battle with dementia. She is survived by her children; Ed Jr. (Dianne) Sund, Shirley (Tim) Schueller, and Russ Sund, grandchildren: Kekoa (Amy) Grover, Amanda (Colton) Fisher, great-granddaughter Hayden Fisher, her brothers David and Ross Koning and her sister, Sharon Koning Swan.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Edward Sr., infant son and daughter, Joseph and Mary, her brothers; Ray Koning, Keith Koning, Bob Koning, Jerry Koning, Jack Koning, and George Koning, and her sisters; Lois Koning Verstrat, Janice Joy Koning and infant sister Irene Koning.

A special thank you goes out to Mandy, Kristen, and Haley from Faith Hospice for all the care, support, and help in the months before Mom’s passing.

Visitation will be held on August 26th, 5-7 pm, and the funeral service will be on August 27th at 2 pm. Both services will be at St. Paul’s Anglican Catholic Church, 2560 Lake Michigan Dr., Grand Rapids, MI 49504.