Edward Elihue Hessem

Edward Elihue Hessem, 74, of Grawn passed on October 13, 2021 at Munson Medical Center with his loving family at his side.

Ed was born in Grawn to the late Elihue Jonas and Lenora Elizabeth (Weber) Hessem on November 9, 1946. Honorably, Ed served our Country in the United States Army. Upon his return from service, he married Kathryn Ann Korb on May 11,1968 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Together they lovingly raised three wonderful children.

Ed, "Steady Eddie", was known as the best of many things, he was the best baseball pitcher, the best thrower of horseshoes and "the best darn backhoe operator" ever. Ed made the absolute best homemade noodles for his famous chicken noodle soup and shared the tradition he learned from his mother with his children and grandchildren. Ed loved to listen to Saturday Night Country Gold, enjoyed the company of friends and family and playing Euchre as long as he "got the cards". Ed never turned down a bower, always snuck in some table talk and gave away his hand often with his not so good poker face. Ed enjoyed a "spit shined clean truck", vanilla ice cream, crossword puzzles and scratch off lottery tickets. He cherished his time spent with family at Camp II in the U.P. hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. Ed made all things special even his whiskey toasts and will be remembered for his "toasting to the bird" at Thanksgiving. Ed was a man of few words with a heart of gold who volunteered many years at the Blair Township Fire Department during his younger days. He was fortunate to have many genuine friendships in Randy Hendges, Gary Beeman and Bob and Roy McCaffrey. Ed met the love of his life at the Interlochen Dance Hall, he offered her a raw marshmallow (his favorite snack) on their first date, received daily love letters from her for 2 years while serving his country in Germany from 1966-1968 and proposed after shopping for "matching sweaters" in downtown Traverse City. Ed loved to dance to belly rubbers and polkas and is surely "Rollin out the Barrel" warming up the dance floor right now.

Surviving Ed is his wife Kathy of 53 wonderful years, children, Micheyl "Missy" (Mike) Kolbusz, Ron (Amanda) Hessem, Terri (Dale) Muth, grandchildren, Garrett, Joslyn, Sidny, Kayla, Gage, Kelsey, his siblings, Bev Mielke, Sandy (Al) Burrell, Sharon Hott, Gary (Deb) Hessem, brother-in-law Mike Cieslik, sister-in-law Karen Sanborn, brother-in-law Don (Linda) Korb and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, sister Cathy, brother-in-law's, Bob Mielke, Robert Sanborn, Ralph Hott.

Graveside services with Military Honors will take place at 11am on Saturday, October 23, 2021 at the Grand Traverse Memorial Gardens.

Kindly share thoughts and memories with Ed's family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com .