Esther Burnett

Esther Burnett was an amazing woman. Just ask her family. She knew what was important in life – family, friends and faith, and although at times the family had very little, through Esther’s hard work and loving care, they always knew they were blessed to have what they did.

1926 saw the country stepping into the “Roaring 20’s”. Life was good, as reflected in the popular song “Ain’t We Got Fun”. The beginnings of television, and the ready acceptance of the telephone and electricity set the stage for many great things to come. In the growing city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Henry and Eva (Evans) Battjes were eagerly awaiting a great happening in their family – the birth of their first child. Baby Esther was born on June 20, 1926, to the delight of her parents and over the next several years became big sister to four brothers and a sister.

Henry worked as a security officer to support his family, while Eva stayed home, caring for the needs of her growing family. The Battjes' lived on the Southwest side of Grand Rapids and Esther was able to walk to school. Her four younger brothers considered themselves her “protectors” and would accompany her home from school. Being the big sister, Esther probably didn’t need any protecting, but the boys felt it was their “duty”. Although Esther would start out for school in the morning, she didn’t always reach her destination. One day, she and some friends decided to play hooky and went downtown shopping, instead of to school. As she was leaving one of the stores, whom should Esther meet but her mother! Needless to say, Eva was not pleased with her daughter that day. Esther attended South High School but left in the 10th grade to get a job. She worked in the factory for Alloy Tech, making airplane parts for the war. Although Esther had a job, she continued to live at home with her family.

Sometime during the middle 1940s, Esther met a gentleman named Roy “Jack” Burnett. Little is known of their relationship and courtship, but Esther’s children have said that Jack would pick Esther up from work and sometimes they would go “parking” on Lover’s Lane. Love certainly blossomed and the couple was married on October 8, 1948, at Esther’s parents’ home. Jack worked as an over-the-road truck driver for Blue Arrow Douglas, and his job took him all over the country. When they were first married, Esther would sometimes ride along with him. Esther and Jack enjoyed each other’s company and often played cards with friends. They even took a trip to Colorado, but most trips were closer to home, visiting Jack’s family in Battle Creek.

In 1950, Esther and Jack welcomed their first child, a daughter they named Kathy. In 1954, Susan joined the family, followed by Peggy in 1956 and Sally in 1958. Tragically, Esther’s beloved Jack died of a brain hemorrhage in 1963, leaving Esther with four young children and pregnant with a fifth. Son Jack was born in 1964, after his father’s death. With five children to raise, it was important to Esther that there be structure in the home. Her children remember her being strict, but loving. After her husband’s death, his mother came to live with Esther and the children to help out. Fortunately, Esther also had close friends who played a pivotal role in helping her through this trying time. Friends like Roy and Ruth Hoogeboom and the Waters family were always there to lend a helping hand. In fact, for a long time the children thought Mr. And Mrs. Waters were their real aunt and uncle and were shocked to learn otherwise when they were older.

Faith was always an important part of Esther’s life, and she relied on the support of her church family at the Bethel Baptist Church, where the family was active. Esther never learned to drive and took rides from friends to get her to church, shopping, and other places. She eventually familiarized herself with the public transportation system, thus making it easier for her to get around.

Esther moved her family to Grandville, where the family became members of the Grandville Baptist Church. Esther was very involved in church activities, working in the nursery, Sunday school, women’s groups and the Missionary Guild. It was here that she became close friends with Paul and Lucille Dahlberg, who would take her to church and doctor’s appointments. Esther’s faith became even more prominent after Jack’s death. She never missed a Sunday church service and loved to hear the hymns, especially “The Old Rugged Cross.”

With her children growing up and young Jack entering school, Esther took a job as a playground supervisor at East Elementary in Grandville. She enjoyed being with the children and they lovingly called her “Bernie”. When not at church or at school, Esther was often found listening to a Detroit Tigers’ baseball game on the radio or watching one on television. She was an avid fan, but was never able to attend a game. When working around the house, her children remember hearing their mother “whistling like a songbird”, no matter what task she was doing. They have fond memories of coming downstairs and finding Esther on the front porch with a cup of coffee. She took great pleasure in sitting on her porch and watching people as they passed by. Besides her baseball games, Esther also liked to watch cooking shows on television, but never got very fancy with her own cooking. She was always there for her children, ready with a listening ear, and laughing with them until they were crying. Along with her five children, Esther also had many pets in her home. At one time there were twelve cats and one dog. There was always a cat sitting on her chest when she watched television, and her favorite was Suzette. Suzette followed Esther wherever she went and they were constant companions.

Esther Burnett truly was an amazing woman. She made the most of what she had and never complained about her situation in life. Her strength and loving heart with be missed by all, but especially by her five wonderful children.

Esther Burnett of Newaygo, formerly of Grand Rapids, died May 31, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband, Roy “Jack” Burnett. Esther is survived by her children: Kathy Burnett, Susan Burnett, Peggy (Mike) Nelson, Sally (Bill)Crowner, and Jack Burnett; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; brother, James Battjes; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Friends and relatives may meet her family on Thursday from 7-9 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. N.W. The funeral service will be held at 11 AM on Friday, June 3, 2005 at the funeral home. Interment will be in Graceland Memorial Park. Please visit Esther’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may leave a memory, or order flowers.