Hazel Edge

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. Through 94 years of life, Hazel Edge did just that. As a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, Hazel spent her days caring for her family, and the needs of others.

1910 was the calm before the storm. The world was not yet in the grips of World War I and the era known as the Victorian Age was coming to an end. On January 13th the first live musical radio program was heard. Women were awakening to their place in the world and the first suffrage parade was held in 1910. In the small community of Alamo, Indiana, west of Indianapolis, Isaac and Jenny (Buzzell) Westfall had other things on their minds. On October 10, 1910, they became the proud parents of a new baby girl, named Hazel. Besides Hazel, the Westfall family included two other siblings and three step-siblings. They were Dorothy Cook, Charles (Bud) Westfall, Virginia Frame, Lois Baumgardener, and Louise Mount.

As a young lady, Hazel was introduced to a young man named Ira Edge, by one of Ira’s friends. At that time, Ira’s family owned the Edge Lumber Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After a ten-year courtship, Ira and Hazel were married. They lived in various houses on the northeast side of the city before settling in on Dorroll NE, the family home for the next 50 years. The greatest blessings in Hazel’s and Ira’s lives arrived in the years following their marriage, with the births of their daughter Alice and son Benjamin.

Hazel loved children – and doted on her own son and daughter, and in later years, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family traveled a great deal together, visiting interesting places like New York City. Having toured parts of Canada, they would come back by way of Maine, going on to visit family in Cape Cod. Hazel also made sure her children had outside interests and accompanied them to different youth organizations. As a young mother, she also enjoyed crocheting and made many items for her home.

Hazel worked outside the home, helping Ira support their family. She shared her talents at a frame shop, Wurzburgs, and finally the Masonic Temple, where she worked until retirement. Both Hazel and Ira were very involved in the Masons. Ira was a 32nd Degree Mason and Hazel was very active in the Eastern Star, which had been started in Michigan in the late 1800’s. From 1956 to 1957 she served as Matron of the York Chapter #418. They served their community through a variety of community organizations.

After the children were grown, Hazel and Ira continued to travel. In 1974 they took a wonderful trip to California and in 1975 spent time in the sunny St. Pete's Beach in Florida.

In later years, Hazel became a dedicated volunteer at the Clark Home. Her mother had started the rose garden there, and Hazel continued her mother’s legacy by making sure that the gardens were tended and well taken care of. She spent many hours at the Clark Home, helping those in wheelchairs get from place to place; she sang in the choir and was very active in the Home’s Bible Study group. If something needed to be done, Hazel could be counted on to take care of it.

Hazel valued her family more and more as the years went by and tried to keep in touch with all of her relatives. She considered the congregation of Park Congregational Church part of her family, and had been a devoted member for 68 years. Even in her last months, Hazel was able to keep the sense of humor that had been a part of her personality all her life.

What the heart gives away is never gone. It is kept in the hearts of others forever and ever. Hazel’s strong commitment to her family and the needs of others will live on as a wonderful legacy for all who knew her.

Hazel M. Edge, aged 94 of Grand Rapids passed away Sunday November 28, 2004. She was preceded in death by her husband Ira Edge and her son Benjamin Edge. Her family includes her daughter Alice Lee Edge Martin; her grandchildren: Wendi Curtiss and Lorri Martin; her great grandchildren Jon and Amanda and nieces and nephews. Funeral and committal services will be held Friday at 3 P.M. at the Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E., with Rev. James Fox officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. Mrs. Edge will repose at the funeral chapel where relatives and friends may meet her family Friday from 1 P.M. until the time of the funeral service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society would be appreciated. Please visit Hazel’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may leave a memory or sign the online register book.