Marie Buck

Strong willed and loyal, Marie Buck endured many personal tragedies during her lifetime. She also witnessed some of the nation's most traumatic and spectacular events, coming of age during the years of the Great Depression, seeing many friends and family members leave to fight in World War II, and observing the Cultural Revolution that took place in the '60s. Music provided her with some relaxation and she enjoyed playing her organ and piano. She loved her family deeply and wanted the best for her boys.

The U.S. was in the process of joining World War I when Marie was born in Grand Rapids on July 19, 1917. She was the only child of Fred and Helen (Sturgis) Zaagsma. The United States was on the verge of a prosperous and optimistic decade that brought with it many social reforms, including the right to vote for women, which Marie would someday be able to exercise. The Zaagsmas were members of Plainfield United Methodist Church, and Marie attended regularly with her mother. She attended school on the North Side of Grand Rapids and later went to Creston High School, graduating with the class of 1936.

Marie met a young man her age who struck her fancy. His name was Lloyd Hardesty. The two fell in love and were married on New Year's Eve, 1940. While World War II raged in Europe, Marie and Lloyd experienced the joy of the birth of their first baby, a son. Fred arrived in November of 1941. A second precious baby, Roger, was born a few years later. The young family lived on the North Side of Grand Rapids.

Lloyd worked as a baker and was employed by some commercial bakeries in Grand Rapids. To give Lloyd a hand, Marie often helped out in the bakery office. She kept busy with her own jobs, as well. She worked at Fox Jewelry Store and later for Arlans Department Store in the jewelry department. She was eventually hired at Steketee's in downtown Grand Rapids. She enjoyed interacting with people, a trait that was conducive to her career choice.

In the early 1950s, the family moved from the north end of Grand Rapids to a home in Cascade on the southeast side of the city. Marie managed the home and chased the growing boys around the house. When they were in school, Marie was more than willing to help out there, particularly with the hot lunch program the school had.

The family suffered a tragic loss when Lloyd died in 1959. A single mother of two boys, Marie could have allowed her discouragement and pain to paralyze her. But she persevered for her sons, working to provide for their needs. Through some mutual friends, she made acquaintance with Edwin Buck. She had some previous contact with him through the bakery and grocery associations that they both had. A romance developed and they were married in 1964.

Marie left her home in Cascade and together she and Ed moved to a home near Marne on the West Side of Grand Rapids. The best way to describe their relationship would be to say that together they lived life. They traveled to many other countries and spent considerable time on their 32-foot boat that they docked in Grand Haven, enjoying jaunts on Lake Michigan. Many of their years together were active and joyful, but life would once again send Marie a challenge.

In 1995, Ed began showing signs of Alzheimer's. Marie stayed by his side, although it was tremendously difficult to watch the progression of the disease. Ed passed away in 2000, leaving Marie alone once again. In spite of her losses, Marie found comfort in her sons. She moved in with Fred and his wife, Tina, who cared for her through the last years of her life. Marie died on Friday, December 10, 2004. Two husbands, Lloyd Hardesty and Edwin Buck, preceded her in death. Marie's family includes her children, Fred (Pina) Hardesty and Roger Hardesty; her grandchildren, Robin and Roxanne; her great grandchildren, Becky, Brad, Britton, Brynn, and Ryan; a great great granddaughter, Mykia; her step grandchildren, Marko and Carlo; and nine step great grandchildren.

A funeral and committal service will be held on Tuesday, December 14, at 11 a.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien - Creston Chapel. Interment will follow in Fairplains Cemetery. Please visit Marie's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, order flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the charity of your choice.