Ethel Norine Arend, daughter of Benjamin Franklin (1889-1980) and Lella or Leella (Hulett) (1889-1982) Arend, was born 9 November 1915, Alaiedon Township, Ingham County, Michigan. She graduated in 1933 from Okemos High School and in 1934 graduated from the Ingham County Normal School, Mason, Ingham County. Ethel was an elementary school teacher. She married Otis W. Montaven 26 June 1937 and although a busy mother of 3, a dairyman's wife, and involved with church, 4-H and Ingham County Farm Bureau, Ethel also taught in a rural Ingham County school well into the 1940's.
Otis, born 15 October 1914, Indiana was killed 29 September 1979, Ingham County, when the tractor he was driving rolled over and came to rest on top of him as he was loading silage. His neighbor extricated him from beneath the tractor with the use of a backhoe. Less than 2 years later Ethel grieved once more when her 38 year old son, a father of 3, took his own life. Victor Otis, born 7 January 1942, died 16 July 1981.
Ethel continued living on the family farm for a number of years. Her last 2 years found her established in Dimondale at New Haven Foster Care. She died, age 93, 13 January 2009. Ethel was inured with husband and son, East Lawn Memory Gardens, Okemos.
Note: Ethel's obituary stated she was born in Delhi Township, Ingham County but her Social Security Application form recorded she was born in Alaiedon Township, Ingham County.
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Sunday 3 May 2009
ETHEL NORINE (AREND) MONTAVEN
HOLT
Ethel, age 93, was born on November 9, 1915 in Delhi Township. She passed away January 13, 2009.
She was raised on a farm in Alaiedon Township, still known as the "Arend" farm on Holt Road. After graduating from Okemos High School in 1933, she attended the Ingham County Normal Teaching School in Mason, graduating in 1934. At the age of 18, she was appointed the teacher at the Robbins School, being entirely responsible for the education of 8 grades of students. She also taught at Sandhill School in the 1940's. She and her husband, Otis, raised three children on their dairy farm on Hagadorn Road. In her younger years, she enjoyed her huge garden, involvement with the Sandhill 4-H Club, West Alaiedon Ladies Aide, Ingham County Farm Bureau, Mason Senior Citizens and her church circle. She was a member of the Mason Methodist Church for 78 years.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Otis (1979), son (Victor Montaven), grandson (Drew Rogers), son-in-law (Warren Ransburg) and four siblings. The Matriarch of a 5-generation family, she is survived by daughters, Sandra (Carl) Strahle and Tresa Ransburg, grandchildren Kathy Strahle, Dawn Cook, Darin (Amanda) Rogers, Morgan (James) Hixson, Adrienne and William Montaven and Ryan Ransburg, eight great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a sister, Rosalee (Allen) Hensley of Ramona, CA and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was a true inspiration to her family. A loving mother and friend to her daughters, he optimistic spirit, love of life and faith sustained her. The family wishes to give special thanks to New Haven Foster Care in Dimondale for the wonderful care given to Ethel during the last two years.
Ethel was cremated and will be interred beside her husband and son in East Lawn Memory Gardens in Okemos.