Victoria Mary Edel

December 17, 1909 - December 18, 2010

VICTORIA'S LIFE STORY:With a life that spanned more than a century, Victoria Edel made the most of each and every day and in so doing, created a lasting impact on the world around her. She possessed an unwavering faith that served as her constant companion throughout the peaks and valleys of her life’s journey. Being a mother seemed to be a job that was tailor made just for her as she had just the right amount of patience and unconditional love that covered each of her children in such a special way. Although life was not always easy for Victoria, she faced every challenge with a quiet strength that is to be admired. Life will never be the same without her here, but Victoria’s family and friends find comfort in knowing that she is enjoying perfect peace in her eternal home.If one could turn back the hands of time they would reveal an America that is much different in the early part of the twentieth century than the life we know today. This was the decade that saw the segregation of American baseball, a more affordable automobile thanks to Henry Ford, and the dreams of flight take shape with the Wright Brothers’ legendary flight at Kitty Hawk. It was during this same time that there was much to celebrate for one young family from Grant Township, Michigan, with the birth of a healthy baby girl on December 17, 1909. Victoria was welcomed into the world on the family farm in Mason County by her loving parents, Andrew and Anna (Jankoviak) Rakoski. Her mother Anna came to the United States with her parents from Poland and settled in Manistee where her grandfather found work at the Morton Salt Company. Andrew was a young farmhand, while Anna worked as a housekeeper. Shortly after their marriage, they purchased the family farm that was the setting for Victoria’s earliest years. Victoria helped her father on the farm and also attended Freeman School nearby. With a desire to branch out, she worked in Muskegon for a time, but returned home once she found out how heartbroken her father was in her absence. It was shortly thereafter that Victoria married the man with whom she would establish the family she treasured. His name was Bernard Edel, and they married on October 4, 1932 at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee. Together the young couple purchased a farm nearby in Victory Township. These were the years of the Great Depression when families did whatever they could to make ends meet. Many of the farming duties fell on Victoria’s shoulders while Bernard also worked for the Mason County Road Commission. Nothing was sweeter than when children began arriving. They were blessed with eleven children including Henry, Mike, Martha, Marie, Dorothy, Raymond, Anna, Ralph, Martin, Delores, and Floyd, although both Delores and Floyd died as infants. Victoria always had a deep, unconditional love for children, and was overjoyed with a large family of her own. She fully immersed herself into her role as a mother and inspired her children to achieve great things. As her children grew older and established their own lives, Victoria remained the rock in their family, and by the example of life she displayed, earned the respect of her children.Although much of her time was wrapped up in her family, Victoria also found fulfillment in many other ways. It was clear to see by her daily walk that she was a woman of faith who never compromised on her beliefs. Victoria was a member of St. Jerome’s Catholic Church in Scottville and the St. Helena Altar Society for over 70 years. Her life was regularly focused on her faith as she prayed the Rosary three times a day in Polish without fail. It was her faith and the love of her family that carried her through the days following her beloved husband’s death in 1966. Victoria was a strong and independent woman who did what needed to be done in order to care for the family she adored.Later in life, Victoria moved to Scottville where she plugged in to the world around her. She worked as a cook for Krebs, Burts, Orgies, Brunke’s, Buckingham’s, and for the Quillan’s at “Jim’s” restaurant. Throughout her life, Victoria was delighted by so many things. She always took great pride in her cars, keeping them washed, waxed, and properly maintained. In fact, Victoria regularly checked the oil and made sure the tires had adequate air pressure every week. If she ever discovered a rust spot, Victoria got to work right away sanding it, applying a patch of bondo, and painting it without delay. She kept a daily diary of the weather for over 20 years and since farming was in her blood, she loved her vegetables. Every day Victoria enjoyed a mixture of cabbage, turnips, parsnips, potatoes, green beans, carrots, and peas. She always kept a watchful eye on her birdfeeder and if she ever spotted a squirrel making itself at home, Victoria chased after it with a broom in her hand. Some of her favorite things included Kentucky Fried Chicken, watching robins and cardinals in her yard, the simple beauty of pansies, anything blue, and creating beautiful works through crocheting, and embroidery. Victoria also liked listening to WGN out of Chicago on the radio, and listening to the Cubs and the Tigers games whenever she could. When she moved to Lawndale Apartments in Ludington, Victoria continued to enjoy her flower garden and bird watching. When living at Tendercare, she liked watching people and cars go by from her room. During her last years, Victoria took comfort in her stuffed things; especially two Santa’s that she kept in her room. She always said one of them would wink at her, and she often waved back. As we reflect on the life of Victoria Edel, we are reminded that each day is a gift, and that what we fill our days with, is a choice that only we can make. She took whatever life brought her in stride and was content in all things, whether great joys or deep sorrows while loving her family unconditionally. Victoria will be deeply missed.Victoria Edel died peacefully on Saturday, December 18, 2010 at Tendercare of Ludington. She was preceded in death by her husband Bernard, her parents Andrew and Anna Rakoski, her sons Ralph and Martin, her infants Delores and Floyd, her sons-in-law Phineas Carter, Alfonse Jansen, and Dale Struve, her daughters-in-law Mary Edel and Audrey Rakoski, her sister Katherine Bajtka, and her brother Leo Rakoski. Victoria will be greatly missed by her children Henry Rakoski of Manistee, Michael (Darlaine) Edel, and Martha Jansen both of Scottville, Marie Struve of Free Soil, Dorothy Carter of Ludington, Raymond (Betty) Edel of Scottville, and Anna Arsnoe of Ludington; 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, and 19 great, great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Victoria on Saturday, May 7, 2011 at the St. Jerome Catholic Church in Scottville, with Rev. Aaron Ferris as celebrant. Burial will take follow at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Manistee. Friends may meet with her family for a time of visitation from 10:00 AM until time of Mass at the church. Those who wish to make memorial contributions are asked to consider the St. Jerome Catholic Church in Victoria’s memory.