Emma Lok

Emma Lok was a hard working and determined lady. She not only helped her parents when she was young, she also worked along side her husband later on. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who took pride in raising her family and keeping her house in order. She had a strong Christian faith and made holidays at her home memorable.

Born on December 29,1914 to Egbert and Emma (Jalink) Hagen in the Netherlands, Emma was the seventh of eight children. At the time Emma was born times were good in the Netherlands, however on the horizon the dark clouds of WWII and Nazi occupation of their homeland were forming. Emma had a wonderful childhood, though. She remembers singing and playing with her friends and helping her father in his grocery store when she wasn’t attending school. While Emma didn’t especially like working in the store she did enjoy the food items that were used from the store for their family meals. Emma also loved holidays, especially Christmas when her mother would make delicious homemade apple fritters and other pastries dipped in powdered sugar and the Christmas trees at their church were aglow with candles. These early memories made holidays special for Emma and they were days she wanted to make special and share with others later on.

One fateful day a young man named Jan Lok showed up at the door asking Emma to come out with him for a stroll. It seems that he had noticed this pretty girl when he was delivering cookies to the Hagen grocery store and he had mustered up enough courage to ask her out. The families of both young people knew each other from the Reformed Church of Holland where they were members and the families gave their blessing for the young couple to start dating. Their dating would last many years, since Emma was only fourteen when they met. They became engaged on Emma’s twenty-first birthday and made their love official that year by getting married, first at the courthouse and later at the church. Jan showed up on their wedding day wearing a stove pipe hat and riding in a splendid carriage pulled by two prancing white horses. Emma looked enchanting wearing the wedding dress that she had made herself!

Emma and Jan started their married life in the town of Hengelo, where Jan opened a grocery store and Emma helped out when she was needed. It was not long after that the war with Germany started. Jan was inducted into the service and fought for the Dutch Army. Hengelo was captured and the Germans occupied their town even quartering some German soldiers in Emma and Jan’s house! Emma remembers the bombings, food shortages and other hardships associated with living in a country occupied by enemy troops. When Jan returned from the army to work in their grocery store, it was destroyed in the fighting. It was destroyed a second time when they relocated! The only happiness for Emma and Jan at this time was the birth of their two daughters Helen and Marian. Their only son John, was born at the end of the war.

After the war, Emma and Jan longed for a fresh start in a new place. Canada and Australia were considered, but America is where they decided to start their new life. They found a sponsor and immigrated to Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1956. At first they shared a duplex with an acquaintance on McReynolds Street. They started to attend the Trinity Reformed Church and sought employment. Jan went to work at Meijer Grocery Store, while Emma supplemented their income by cleaning houses and babysitting. Later they bought their own home on Crosby Street where the children spent their childhood.

After the children were grown and Jan retired, Emma and Jan had a chance to travel. Mostly, they went back to the Netherlands to visit relatives. They also stepped into the role of grandparenthood as easily as they had into parenthood. Emma adored her grandchildren spending as much time as possible with them and making each one a special crocheted or knitted creation that they still treasure to this day.

From her fond memories of Christmas, Emma wanted to continue the tradition of making the holidays as special as she remembered them. The family came to Emma and Jan’s house not only for holidays, but every Sunday to enjoy dessert together. In the summer months they also enjoyed picnicking with family and friends at Tunnel Park.

Eventually, Emma and Jan needed more care than they could receive at home, so they moved into the Holland Home Assisted Living. Sadly, Jan passed away in 1995 leaving behind a grieving wife. Emma continued to live at Holland Home where she treasured the times that she and her grandchildren could visit and have some “tea”.

Emma will be remembered for her qualities of hard work and determination. She was devoted to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren using her talents to create keepsakes that they still cherish, keeping her house in top order and making Christmas a special family time. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Emma E. Lok of Grand Rapids passed away Saturday May 31, 2008. She was preceded in death by her husband John Lok in 1995. Surviving are her children: Helen Westveer, Marian and Meredith Hewitt, John and Kathy Lok, 8 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren. Funeral and committal services will be held Saturday June 14, 2008 at 11 A.M. at the Chapel of the Holland Home Fulton Manor. Mrs. Lok will repose at the Holland Home Chapel Saturday from 10 A.M. until the time of the funeral service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Holland Home would be appreciated. To read more of Mrs. Lok’s life, share a memory or sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com