Vesta Pauline Siders

Beloved mother and grandmother passed away peacefully in her sleep on November 20, 2021, at Covenant HealthCare – Harrison. She was 89 years old. Vesta Pauline Kraatz was born July 17, 1932, in Merrill, Michigan, to the late Rev. Bernard and Josephine (Docter) Kraatz. On June 27, 1970, she married Rev. Arnold Gibson and became the devoted loving mother to his two young sons, Dwight and Delbert. He predeceased her January 1985. Vesta later married Rev. Harley Siders on September 24, 1994; he passed away July 2004.She graduated from Ecorse High School in 1950, and earned degrees from Owosso College, Owosso, MI and Greenville College, Greenville, IL. Vesta taught at Bryant School in Owosso for 14 years before marrying Rev. Gibson and moving to Saginaw where she has lived for 51 years years. She also taught in Carrollton Public Schools in Saginaw for 18 years. Vesta accepted Christ as her Savior at an early age and was very active in her church through the years in various capacities, such as pastor's wife, youth president, Sunday School teacher, pianist/organist, newsletter editor, and board member. As of October 24, 2021, Vesta was still playing organ for the Saginaw Wesleyan Church. She also enjoyed reading, counted cross-stitch, and creative memories scrapbooking, as well as writing her autobiography for her family. She and her family members have been very active in Simpson Park Camp. She only missed attending camp meeting once in the last 50 years. Above all, Vesta treasured and cherished her family, especially having her grandchildren come and spend a week with her when they were very young. She will forever be remembered for her devotion to her faith and prayer, her kindness to all people, and her motivation to live independently until the end.

She is survived by two sons: Dwight (Jacqueline) Gibson of Riverton, NJ; Delbert (Lynne) Gibson of Washington Township, MI; four grandchildren: Charles (Wenxi) Gibson of Boston, MA; Philip (Robin) Gibson of Birmingham, AL; Lauren (Sam) Pomager of Philadelphia, PA; Jacob (Hannah) Gibson of Richmond, IN; two great-grandchild, Corbin and Judah Gibson. She is also survived by two step-children from her marriage to Harley Siders: Kathy (Paul) Smith of Owosso, MI; Carol (Brett) Ray of Holly, MI; son-in-law, Earl Wissman of Marine City; eight step-grandchildren: Bryan (Clair) Smith, Matt (Allise) Wissman, Amanda (Chris) Bohle, Joshua Ray, Stephen (Lauren) Ray, Andrew Ray, Kelly (Misael) Hernandez, Mareah Ray; and five step-great-grandchildren.

She was predeceased by a brother, Keith, and two step-children: Karen Wissman and
James Siders.

A funeral service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 11, 2021, at the Saginaw Wesleyan Church, 2125 Shattuck Road. Rev. Robert Tibbits will officiate. Private burial will take place at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Owosso. Friends are welcome to visit with the family at the W. L. Case & Company Funeral Chapel, 4480 Mackinaw Road on Friday, December 10, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider memorials to the Saginaw Wesleyan Church or the Simpson Park Camp. Please share your thoughts and memories with the family at the funeral home, church, or through www.casefuneralhome.com.