Class Year: 1940

Verna Mason ’49 Krudys

Verna M. Krudys, 93, of Jamestown, passed away Monday, April 22, 2019 at Heritage Park Rehab & Skilled Nursing. She was the widow of Walter B. Krudys whom she married March 29, 1952 and who died March 29, 1993. Verna was born in Jamestown on April 1, 1926, the daughter of the late Lynn and… Continue Reading →

Cornelius Lampen ’49

Cornelius “Neil” Earl Lampen, age 95, of Zeeland, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday, February 12, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 71 years Marilyn; his children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren: Steve and Marcia Lampen (Russ and Jill Lampen [Annika, Greta]), (Dan and Kieko Lampen [Kazuma]), (Katie and Joe Hettinga [Allison, Dean]);… Continue Reading →

Russ Kraay ’49

A traffic signal about 1,300 miles from Hope led to a new friendship for Russ Kraay ’49 and Lynne Kurzenberger ’76 Wissink-Tressler. Lynne was waiting at a red light in Fort Myers, Florida, when she noticed a Hope license plate frame on the vehicle ahead of her. The other driver went straight and she turned… Continue Reading →

John De Vries ’41

John E De Vries ‘41 of Palo Alto, California, died on July 1. 2019.  He was 99.  He was born and raised in Newton, Illinois.  He grew up working in his family’s country store alongside his parents, Eva and Jacob, and his brother and three sisters. In Newton, he attended a one room school for his… Continue Reading →

Edna Blom ’43 Roggen

Mrs. Edna Roggen, age 96, of Edmond, Oklahoma, formerly of Orange City, went home to her Savior on Monday, June 3, 2019, at Veraden Senior Living in Edmond. Edna Mae was born on October 21, 1922, on a farm south of Newkirk, the daughter of John and Tillie (Van Es) Blom. She was raised on… Continue Reading →

Marian Vande Bunte ’44

Marian Ruth Vande Bunte, loving aunt to many, passed away peacefully at the age of 97. Marian was a sweet, gracious and independent woman. A woman of faith who loved her lord and was not afraid to live her life for him. In spite of her declining sight and hearing she continued to live life… Continue Reading →

Bertha Hellenga ’47 Woudwyk

Bertha Elaine Woudwyk has experienced the realization of her faith of so many years and is now in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was the beloved mother of four, grandmother of 24, and great-grandmother of 29. Bertha passed away at the age of 98 in her home in Byron Center… Continue Reading →

Genevieve Duiser ’49 Bos

Genevieve “Gen” Pearl Bos, age 92, passed away Sunday morning, June 30, 2019, in Holland. She was born October 20, 1926, in Muskegon to Nicholas and Hattie (Dykema) Duiser. Gen graduated from Hope College with a Bachelor of Arts degree and on June 22, 1949, married Rev. R. James Bos in Muskegon. Jim preceded her in… Continue Reading →

Marguerite Prins ’49 De Haan

Peggy DeHaan, 91, of Holland, passed away on Wednesday, June 26, 2019, with family by her side. She was born Marguerite Jean Prins to Peter N. and Marguerite Meyer Prins on August 28, 1927, in the City. She graduated from Holland High School in 1945 and received a B.A. in English from Hope College in… Continue Reading →

Gerald A. Bax ’42

Gerald A. Bax ’42 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, celebrated his 100th birthday on Jan. 15. He is a veteran of World War II, and his career included serving as director of the Pontiac State Hospital and as commandant of the Grand Rapids Veterans Home. Continue Reading →

Wallace Stoepker ’43

On December 13, 2019, the Reverend Wallace (Wally) Robert Stoepker, a lifelong servant of God and loving husband to Dorothy Mae Stoepker for over 73 years, entered into fellowship with all the saints and with Christ, our Saviour. Wally was born on June 21st, 1921 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the son of Seward and Mary… Continue Reading →

Nellie Ritsema ’47 Vriesman

Nellie Mae Vriesman, age 93 of Lynden, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, October 30, 2019. Nellie was born in Saint Anne, Illinois on March 30, 1926 to parents Albert and Susie (Tallma) Ritsema. Nellie graduated from Hope College with a teaching degree and went on to teach high school English for five… Continue Reading →

Phyllis Dietrich ’48 Cornell

We are sad to announce that on December 6, 2019 we had to say goodbye to Phyllis Cornell (Dearborn, Michigan). Family and friends can light a candle as a loving gesture for their loved one. Leave a sympathy message to the family in the guestbook on this memorial page of Phyllis Cornell to show support.… Continue Reading →

Christian “Chris” Den Herder ’48

Christian Jacob DenHerder was born on June 26, 1925, to Harmon Matthew and Della Cornelia (Hospers) DenHerder of Zeeland, Michigan, and passed away January 22, 2020, in Zephyrhills, Florida.  Growing up near the shores of Lake Michigan, Chris enjoyed boating and outdoor sports of all kinds. Chris enlisted in the U. S. Navy in May… Continue Reading →

Joan DeYoung ’48 Hinkamp

Joan A. Hinkamp passed away in Portland, Ore. on Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019 from pneumonia. She was a treasured wife, mother, nurse and friend. Joan was born to Dr. Thies and Aletta (Wyngarden) DeYoung on Sept. 7, 1923 in Grand Rapids, and was the oldest of five children. She attended a one-room grade school in… Continue Reading →

Genevieve Duiser ’49 Bos

Genevieve Duiser ’49 Bos of Holland, formerly of Muskegon, Michigan, died on Sunday, June 30, 2019. She was 92. Survivors include her children, Mary Bos ’73 (Robert ’74) Van Voorst, Charlene Bos ’75 (David) Alexander and Robert (Tamala) Bos ’80; six grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Continue Reading →

Theresa Staal ’49 Coleman

Theresa “Tess” Staal-Coleman, age 91, of Holland, MI went to be with her Lord and Savior, Wednesday, December 4, 2019. Tess was preceded in death by her husband James Coleman; sister Kay Teerman; brothers, Peter, Dr. Harvey, Marvin and Rev. John Staal. She will be lovingly missed by her sister, Anna Mae England and special… Continue Reading →

Gerald “Jerry” Bax ’42

Gerald “Jerry” Bax ’42 Having sung in church choirs all his life in Holland, Pontiac and Grand Rapids, Gerald has now joined the heavenly choir after passing away on May 27, 2020. Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Eleanor; his sisters Ruth (Tony) Kempker; Phyllis Swierenga; and brother-in-law John (Arlene) Ligtvoet. Jerry is… Continue Reading →