Madeline Munger

Madeline Hudson Munger was a woman of great strength and integrity, with an uncompromising faith and loyalty to her friends and family. She was a thoughtful and fun person who derived great pleasure from sharing her kindness with others. Madeline made everyone feel special and left her mark on all those she came in contact with.

The 1920s were a time of change and excitement. The decade marked the spread of ready to wear fashion. More women were wage earners and did not have time for fittings, so inexpensive fashion became available. Music in this time ranged from Bessie Smith singing the blues to sentimental ballads like “I’ll Be Seeing You in Apple Blossom Time.” For George and Gladys (Richardson) Anders of Grand Rapids, Michigan, it was also an exciting time as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Madeline, on June 5, 1922. She was one of five Anders children.

Madeline grew up in a happy, close-knit family and fostered wonderful relationships with her siblings, particularly her sister Eva, throughout their lives. In 1935, the family moved to Comstock Park, Michigan, where Madeline graduated from Comstock Park High School in 1940. Always full of energy, she played basketball and was involved in the drama department in high school. Madeline’s grandparents lived on a farm in Grant and she, along with her brothers and sisters, spent many memorable times there. Madeline also fondly remembered the many reunions with her mother’s family and other extended relatives during her growing up years. Sadly, the Anders family endured tremendous loss and heartbreak when Madeline’s brothers, Jack and Charles, died while courageously serving their country during World War II.

After graduating high school, Madeline went to work for General Motors in the Diesel Division as an executive secretary. She remained a dedicated employee of GM for 35 years, until her retirement. At the age of twenty, Madeline met Wilbert “Bert” Hudson and they were happily married in October of 1942. Madeline and Bert were a fun-loving couple and enjoyed spending time with their families, especially their nieces and nephews. Over the course of their life together, they had had two mobile homes. One had been located on Big Star Lake and the other, Hess Lake, both of which created a lifetime of memories with family and friends. Their nieces and nephews fondly remember being out on the lake in their speedboat or pontoon having a great time and Madeline’s popcorn was also a great hit with them, which they looked forward to at every get together. She and her friend Noma Emery also enjoyed traveling together.

Madeline lost her beloved husband Bert in 1977. Although saddened by her loss, Madeline began to pursue her hobbies with even more fervor. Madeline loved to host parties, particularly when it included a good game of cards. She was quite a card shark. For more than 40 years, Madeline was an active member of the Mr. and Mrs. Friendship Club of the Second Congregational United Church of Christ and was also a life member of the Carl A. Johnson Post #2 of the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, where she served as former president from 1972 to 1975. It was while on a golf outing with Post #2 of the American Legion that Madeline met Frank Munger, a retired career Navy Chief Hospital Corpsman. A real gentleman, Frank loaned Madeline his umbrella while out on the golf course and this was the start of a beautiful relationship. They were married on October 2, 1992, and spent their honeymoon in Reno at a reunion with Frank’s old Navy buddies.

Frank and Madeline were a great team and enjoyed being active in many of the same interests. As members of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch #298 and the Civilian Conservation Corps Alumni Chapter #29, they attended many reunions of the CCC, which Madeline helped her husband Frank organize at the North Higgins Lake State Park, as well as reunions of the Navy organizations that Frank was involved with throughout the years. During Frank’s military career, he was also a deep-sea diver and so there were many reunions they attended in places like Arizona, Connecticut, Florida, Virginia, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin. Aside from the reunions, Frank and Madeline also attended regional and national conventions of Fleet Reserve each year.

In the whirlwind of life’s busyness, Madeline remained close with her friends, Betty Gerdis, Harriet Smith and Eloise Dufford, who were former co-workers from GM. For over 30 years, these good friends faithfully got together every week to have lunch together and play cards, but most importantly, to kindle their lifelong friendship. Madeline also had friends of the four-legged nature for she liked cats and her Pekinese dog named Peke.

Madeline was an energetic woman whose greatest happiness in life was her family and friends. Throughout her life, she touched many people through volunteer work in her many organizations, her bright smile and her unforgettable family get togethers. Madeline’s friends and family will miss her greatly, but will never forget the time they shared.

Madeline Hudson Munger of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away on Saturday, January 15, 2005, at St. Mary’s Hospital after a courageous battle with lung cancer. She was preceded in death by her former husband, Wilbert Hudson; her parents, George and Gladys Anders; her brothers: Lt. Charles F. Anders and seaman, Jack L. Anders; her sister, Eva, and brother-in-law, Richard (Dick) Holland; and her sister-in-law, Helen De Good. Madeline’s family includes her husband, Frank Munger; brother, Cleo (Millie) Anders; nieces and nephews: Jackie (Steve) Decker, Gary (SanDee) Holland, Terry (Colleen) Holland, Kathleen (David) Wigutoff, Karen (Bud) Smit, Sharon (Thomas) Trahan, Clare and Donna Anders; her step-children: James R. (Bernice) Munger; Darlene J. (Wilbur) Thomas; and Raymond F. (Jerelyn) Munger; six step-grandchildren and 10 step-great-grandchildren; and step-nieces and nephews: Carol (Mark) Van Koevering, Sandra (Abe) VanderBoon, and Gary (Cheryl) De Good.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, January 19, at 1 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Friends may spend time with Madeline’s family on Tuesday, January 18, from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. Cremation will take place and burial will be in the Anders family plot at Ashland Center in Grant, MI. Friends and relatives are invited for refreshments following the funeral service at the American Legion Memorial Home, 401 North Park NE, Grand Rapids, MI. Please visit Madeline’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers or make a memorial contribution to Second Congregational Church of Christ, 525 Cheshire Drive NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.