Marie Geerlings ’62 Blauwkamp

Marie Blauwkamp, 98, of Zeeland, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2024. Marie was born August 11, 1925, in Zeeland, to Jacob and Ada (Zwagerman) Geerlings. Marie went to Townline School and Holland Christian High School. She married Adrian Blauwkamp (while home on leave) in 1944. Newly married in 1945, Marie lived in New York… Continue Reading →

Norman J. Kansfield ’62

After the 1840s, a spidery network of Dutch immigrant communities arose along the southern shoreline of Lake Michigan and extended into Iowa, Minnesota, and the Dakotas. South Holland, Illinois, when established in 1847, was among the least significant of those Dutch settlements. It had changed very little by 1940, when six-month-old Norman Kansfield and his parents, Orval… Continue Reading →

Marcia Hondorp ’62 Williamson

Marcia Lou Williamson, 83, passed away on December 21, 2023, at Stratford Pines Nursing Home in Midland with her family by her side. Her passing brought to an end her long struggle with dementia and her brief encounter with Covid. Marcia was born on July 15, 1940, in Grand Rapids, Michigan the daughter of Bertha and… Continue Reading →

James Vaccaro ’65

James R. Vaccaro, 87 of Midland, passed away on Sunday, December 10, 2023 at his home. Jim was born March 23, 1936 in Easton, PA to Genevieve and Anthony Vaccaro. He married the love of his life, Donna DeWalt on August 12, 1961. Together they raised two children; Lori (Larry) Parsons and Danny (Kim) Vaccaro. Jim was blessed… Continue Reading →

Bruce Gillies ’63

Bruce Gillies ’63 celebrated 40 years of ordained ministry as an Episcopal deacon. His first assignment was Episcopal chaplain at Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, New York, where he served for five years. He performed many baptisms, especially for newborns who were given slim chances to live. His next assignment was to the New York State… Continue Reading →

Frank Kraai ’60

The city of Holland suffered an enormous loss Thursday, July 11, with the passing of Frank Kraai. The news was posted by Kraai’s niece, Shannon Elhart, on social media. It comes less than three months after Kraai was in attendance for the groundbreaking of Holland Ice Park, a development he made possible with a $1.1… Continue Reading →

Warren Vander Hill ’60

Charles Warren Vander Hill, age 86, passed on to Fly Fish in the great beyond on July 1, 2024. He heard that big trout were hitting white streamer flies. Following cremation, his remains will be placed in the Lower Madison River in Montana where a memorial service will be held for immediate family and friends.… Continue Reading →

David Van Dyke ’60

David Henry Van Dyke, age 85, passed away on Monday, April 15, 2024. He was born in East Grand Rapids on August 11, 1938 to Gilbert and Irene Van Dyke, educated at Hope College and the University of Michigan, and earned a medical degree in neurology. His residency training took place at the University of… Continue Reading →

Marcia Wiersma ’60 Van Eden

Marcia Lou Van Eden, age 85, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024. Marcia was an elementary school teacher for over 30 years, positively impacting young lives with her kindness, patience, and dedication which extended to her family as well. As a loving wife and mom, she was a “10”. She enjoyed extensive travel with… Continue Reading →

Nancy Malstrom ’61 Husisian

Nancy Malstrom Husisian, of Elmira, NY passed away at the Guthrie Corning Hospital on Friday, March 15 after a period of declining health. She is survived by her two sons and daughters-in-law, Gregory and Cynthia, and Jeffrey and Ingrid, her six grandchildren, Peter, Hadley, Katelyn, Eric, Jason and Andrew, and her loving partner, Thomas Seward.… Continue Reading →

Henry Steffens ’61

Henry W. Steffens, 84, of Midland, died March 15, 2024, at Primrose of Midland. He was born September 18, 1939, in Holland, Michigan, the son of the late Henry J. and Margaret J. (Westveer) Steffens. On January 26, 1963, with the late Rev. Dr. Orville H. McKay officiating, he married the former Carole A. Shrader… Continue Reading →

Wallace Van Buren ’61

Wallace Van Buren passed away January 11, 2024. He was born in Roseland, Minnesota June 14, 1939. He graduated from Danube H. S. in 1957, received a B.A. degree from Hope College in 1961 and a Master’s Degree from Loyola University in Industrial Relations in 1969. Wallace was involved in local politics as a Commissioner… Continue Reading →

David Bonnette ’62

David J. Bonnette, a devoted husband, loving father, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on April 28th at the age of 83 in his home with his wife by his side, in St. Joseph, MI. David was born on September 10th, 1940, in Holland, MI, the son of Henrietta and Gleon Bonnette. He grew up… Continue Reading →

Louise Turnbull ’62 Thiesse

Louise Grace Thiesse was the youngest child born April 21, 1939, to William Robert and Grace (George) Turnbull, in Albany, New York. Louise attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she met Delmar Thiesse, a seminary student at Western Theological Seminary.  They were married August 18, 1962. Del continued his seminary studies and Lou taught… Continue Reading →

Clara Herriman ’63 Anderson

Clara Jean “Sue” Anderson, 83, of Kalamazoo passed away at her home on February 5, 2024. She was born November 7, 1940, in Lawrence, Michigan, to the late Clare and Elsie (Zimmer) Herriman. Her sister, Grace, was two years older. Sue graduated from Lawrence High School in 1959. She attended Hope College and Western Michigan… Continue Reading →

David Kleis ’63

David John Kleis, 82, went to heaven on Maundy Thursday, March 28. Born on July 3rd, 1941 to Russell Kleis and Alice Marie Hyma Kleis, in Holland, Michigan. From his grandmother, Jenny Marie, he learned to love the Bible. After graduating from Hope College, earning a Master’s degree at the University of Michigan and studying… Continue Reading →

Roy Stavenger ’63

Roy Alan Stavenger, 83, of Naperville, IL, passed away on May 4, 2024. He was born on April 29, 1941, in Berwin, IL to Elroy and Minnie Stavenger. Roy attended Hope College and Elmhurst College where he met the love of his life, Karen. They shared almost 60 years together traveling, playing golf and working together.… Continue Reading →

Hilda Hadawi ’63 Whipple

Hilda Nadia Hadawi Whipple, age 84, passed away on January 23, 2024, in Eugene, Oregon, surrounded by loved ones. Hilda was born in Jerusalem, Palestine on January 9, 1940, to the late Edward Hadawi and Carmel Bedrossian Hadawi. Just over one year later, her brother Albert L Hadawi, was born. The family moved to the… Continue Reading →

Betty Bruins ’64 Daane

Betty Daane, 82, of Waupun, passed away Saturday, April 13, 2024. Betty was born February 20, 1942 in the town of Alto, the daughter of Clayton and Marion Bossenbroek Bruins. Betty attended Waupun High School and graduated in 1960. Betty attended Hope College in Holland, Michigan where she received her bachelor’s degree in education. She… Continue Reading →