Class Year: 1950

Jean Wierenga ’54 Otto

Jean Wierenga ’54 Otto of South Haven, Michigan, died on Sunday, Sept. 10, 2017. She was 85. Jean was born on April 7, 1932 in South Haven to Alonzo and Zera Wierenga.  She was a graduate of South Haven High School and Hope College. Post graduate work was completed at Western Michigan University and the University of… Continue Reading →

Emma “Lucille” Meek ’56 Goding

Emma “Lucille” Meek ’56 Goding of Las Cruces, New Mexico, died on Friday, June 30, 2017. She was 83. Lucille is survived by her brother, David Meek of Ruidoso, New Mexico; Children Stephany Benaway of Las Cruces, New Mexico; Clark Goding of Tuscon, Arizona; Heather Spencer of Englewood, Colorado; two granddaughters and a grandson. She is preceded in death… Continue Reading →

Lois Taylor ’57 De Zeeuw

Lois Taylor ’57 De Zeeuw of McBain, Michigan, died on Sunday, Sept. 3, 2017.  She was 82. Lois was born January 30, 1935, to Weller and Clara (VanderVlucht) Taylor at the Taylor family home. She married Peter DeZeeuw on November 29, 1957, at the Lucas Rehoboth Reformed Church. Lois was a homemaker her entire life and took pride in taking good care… Continue Reading →

Gordon Meeusen ’57

Gordon Meeusen ’57 of Guilderland Center, New York, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 9, 2017 at St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany, having spent most of that day with his entire immediate family.  Gordon was born June 18, 1930 in Holland, Michigan to Simon and Gertrude Meeusen and attended Holland High School where he graduated with Honors… Continue Reading →

John Brouwer ’59

John Brouwer ’59 of Osseo, Wisconsin, died on Monday, April 3, 2017at Regions Hospital, St. Paul MN, due to complications related to burn injuries. John was born in Inwood, IA on September 7, 1934, the son of Jorienus and Artie (Brands) Brouwer. In 1946 he moved to Edgerton, MN with his family. John married the sweetest girl… Continue Reading →

John “Dave” Haas ’53

John “Dave” Haas ’53 of Palm Desert, California, reports that at age 85 he is in good health; plays some golf; and teaches in a program for students 55 or older, called OSHER. He writes that he just had a brother-in-law pass away at age 87 (attended Hope but did not graduate; lived his entire… Continue Reading →

Janice Polhemus ’56 Jessup

Janice Polhemus ’56 Jessup of Virginia Beach, Virginia, was named an honorary member of the fraternity of Omega Tau Rho by the State of Virginia and Hampton Roads Associations of Realtors on Oct. 3. Continue Reading →

Paul Alderink ’50

Rev. Paul J. Alderink ‘Preacher’, age 91, died Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017. Born in Holland, Nov. 5, 1926. Graduate of Central High School, Hope College and Western Theological Seminary. Married Doris Jean Prins in 1950. Married for 67 years, they have 5 children Enlisted in the Navy 1944, served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater during… Continue Reading →

Maxine Waalkes ’50 Paesens

Maxine Joyce Paesens,  age 89; went to her heavenly home on August 24, 2017 with her beloved family surrounding her. Maxinewas born on July 13, 1928 to parents Peter and Gertrude (Everars) Waalkes in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The doctors told her parents that she had a weak heart and wouldn’t live long. Later she was told not to… Continue Reading →

Shirley Nienhuis ’50 Proctor

Shirley Dean Nienhuis Proctor, 89, died peacefully with family by her side Jan. 7, 2018. Shirley was born and grew up in Holland. She attended Hope College and Western Michigan University, married Jim Proctor, and came to Indianapolis some 60 years ago. Shirley Proctor was a member of First Friends Meeting, rug hooking groups, volunteer… Continue Reading →

Lois Timmer ’51 Appledorn

Lois Appledorn, Beverly Hills, CA – Age 89 January 5, 2018. Beloved wife of the late William Appledorn, Jr. Beloved mother of Steven (Karen) Appledorn, James (Denise) Appledorn, and Martha (Peter) Littrup. Cherished grandmother of Ann (Bradley), Kate, Thomas (Kristen), Rebecca, William, Gerrit, and Gunnar. Great-grandmother of Ellora and Charlotte. Sister of Albert Timmer, II, the late Chester Timmer,… Continue Reading →

Harold Cupery ’52

Cupery, Harold & Verna 1/19/2018 Kalamazoo Harold S. (age 87) and Verna J. (age 86) Cupery went to be with their Lord on January 19, 2018. Both were born near Friesland, WI and graduated from Cambria High School. After graduating from Hope College and Western Theological Seminary, Harold was ordained as a minister in the… Continue Reading →

Donald Lokker ’52

Donald ( Curly) R. Lokker, 87, of Holland, died Tuesday Nov. 14, 2017 at his home following a lengthy illness. Born in Holland, Don graduated from Holland High School and served in the U. S. Army during the Korean Conflict. He was employed as an accountant for Dunn Manufacturing and was a long time member… Continue Reading →

Elizabeth Dowd ’52 Smouse

Elizabeth Anne “Betty” Smouse, 87 years old, passed away Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at home with her family at her side after a long illness. Betty was born April 4, 1930 in Ann Arbor, Michigan to the late Leslie W. and Ruth Ann (nee Minar) Dowd. She attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she met Ken… Continue Reading →

Kenneth Bauman ’53

Kenneth “Fuzz” Bauman, 88, of Holland, passed away Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, at Holland Hospital. Born March 23, 1929, in Holland, he went on to marry the love of his life Dorothy, who he was married to for 66 years. He was a graduate of Hope College, and received his Master’s degree from University of… Continue Reading →

Jacquelyn Ferris ’53 Beerthuis

Jackie Beerthuis, 87, went home to be with her Savior on Jan. 4, 2018. She was born in Allegan. Her claim to fame was starting a restaurant in Holland which she named Jackie’s Place. She lovingly called herself “ the original Jackie.” Jackie had a lifelong dream of living in Florida and that dream came true… Continue Reading →

Jack DeWaard ’53

Word has been received of the death of Jack DeWaard ’53 of Mesa, Arizona, who died on Monday, June 5, 2017. He was 86. Survivors include his wife, Catherine Jones ’55 DeWaard Continue Reading →

Robert Perkins Jr. ’53

Robert N. Perkins, Jr. was born in New York, NY on April 6, 1928. He was the son of Robert N. Perkins and Katherine Milham Perkins. Most of his childhood was spent in upstate New York. A move to Arlington, VA was where he spent his teen years. Following high school, Bob joined the U.S.… Continue Reading →

John DeWeert ’54

John DeWeert, 85, of Holland, died peacefully Sunday, Jan. 14, 2018. He was born and raised in Holland on 17th St., graduated from Holland High School in 1950 and Hope College in 1954. John married his high school sweetheart, Jean Cook, who he was happily married to for 64 years. He served his country in… Continue Reading →

David Kempker ’54

It is with sadness and joy that we announce the peaceful passing of David LeRoy Kempker on Tuesday, February 20, 2018. He was a wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. Wherever he went, he brought a smile and a word of advice or encouragement. Dave grew up in Holland, and attended the Holland Public… Continue Reading →