Dawn Marie Douma

With a warm smile and a loving heart, Dawn Marie Douma lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Dawn was generous, thoughtful, and kind, always finding a way to make sure those she loved knew how much she treasured them. A wonderful, sensitive woman, Dawn never wanted anyone to fuss over her and felt most content serving others. She welcomed each day as a gift, finding strength during hard times in her faith and celebrating life’s joys to the fullest. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, Dawn will long be remembered by those she so dearly loved.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression, the power of hope undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there more hope for the future than in the home of Robert and Erma (Rittmeyer) Hessel as they welcomed their daughter Dawn to their family on September 11 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Dawn, the youngest of the Hessels’ two children, enjoyed the good company of her older brother, Charles. While her father worked as a police dispatcher, her mother worked at the General Motors Diesel Plant. The family made their home on Valley Street NW.

As a high schooler, Dawn had the good fortune of meeting her beloved, Bill Douma, who was a year older than her at Union High School. The pair began dating and found much enjoyment in attending school sporting events, ice skating, and sledding. Dawn also enjoyed participating on the school’s bowling team and cheerleading squad.

After proudly graduating with the class of 1949, Dawn began setting her sights on planning for the life she and Bill wished to create together. On May 10, 1952, the sweethearts married at St. Johns Evangelical Church, officially beginning their 62-year marriage. The newlyweds then celebrated their nuptials with a honeymoon in Chicago.

Settled into their home on Ferris Street, NW, Dawn and Bill were delighted to start their family of four children. Deborah, Diane, William II, and Darlene were the centers of their world, and Dawn and Bill devoted themselves to creating a loving and supportive home for them. Sixteen years after they married, the family moved to Barbara Street, where Dawn and Bill continued to raise their children and live for many years.

A loving, caring, and supportive mom, Dawn volunteered with Kenowa school athletic boosters for ten years, serving as treasurer to be involved with her children. During the summer, the family enjoyed spending time at their trailer on Wolf Lake near Baldwin, where Bill would visit as work allowed. Dawn loved the sun and spending time outdoors, including hours spent on the speed boat and, later, a pontoon boat. During the winter, they had fun together with snowmobiles. The family also enjoyed epic trips to Niagara, Mackinaw, California, Disney Land, and Disney World. At home, the family always enjoyed Dawn’s legendary macaroni and cheese and milkshakes.

Dawn and Bill enjoyed a very active social life with friends and enjoyed dancing or playing cards. Holidays were always big and traditional, with a lot of great food, memory sharing, and laughs. After 40 years of dedicated service, Dawn retired from her secretarial duties with the union. In their retirement, Dawn and Bill enjoyed spending more time traveling, taking cruises, making trips to Branson, Missouri, and spending three weeks in Kissimmee, Florida, each winter. They eventually moved to a condo.

Shortly after their oldest grandson, Lee, died, Bill’s health began to decline, and he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. With signature grace, love, and generosity, Dawn ensured that Bill was well cared for during his final years. With help from the family, she was able to keep Bill in their home, where he passed away, in the comforts of those he loved in February of 2015. Leaning into her unwavering faith and the support of her family and friends, Dawn continued to live life to the fullest.

Dawn continued to find much joy in her children and grandchildren, actively connecting and cheering on their every endeavor. She valued her loved ones and made sure that each one of them knew they were her favorite. A terrific role model for her family, Dawn continued to nourish her faith through Power Hour, a senior ministry group she was involved in, and being a lifelong member of Orchard Hill Church. Dawn also enjoyed listening to old-school country music, arts and crafts, and participating in the “Mermaids” swim aerobics group. A dog lover, Dawn was blessed with many canine friends throughout her life. Diamond was her most recent companion. In quiet times, Dawn relished sitting on her back porch, listening and watching all the birds feed with the woods in the background, and feeling deeply at peace.

Life feels far less certain in the absence of Dawn’s bright and beautiful spirit. As we celebrate her wonderful life, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories and in the honor of carrying her legacy of love and kindness forward. In each moment, we choose faith over fear, reflect others’ value, enjoy a sunny day, make homemade mac and cheese, travel with our beloved, and curl up with a favorite pup, we keep Dawn’s memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired us.

Dawn Marie Douma, age 92, passed away on June 20, 2024. Dawn was born September 11, 1931, in Grand Rapids to the late Robert and Erma (Rittmeyer) Hessel. She was also preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, William Douma; daughter, Deborah Anderson; grandson, Lee Anderson; and brother, Charles Hessel. Dawn is survived by her children, Diane (Bill) Herrmann, William (Sue) Douma II, Darlene (David) Crinion; son-in-law, Dennis Anderson; grandchildren, Amy (Ben) Hobbie, Kenneth (Natina) Herrmann, Ryan (Sarah) Herrmann, James Willemsen, Andrea (Sam) Waldhart, Wil (Sabrina) Douma, Isaac Ulanowicz, Danielle (Garrett) Green, Jacob Crinion, Ashley (James) Carter; great-grandchildren, Kaileigh, Levi, Michaela, Addison, Zoey, Bella, Dennis, Andrew, Matthew, Peyton, Easton, Jordan, Owen, Matthias; and great great granddaughter, Aurora. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Catherine VanderZouwen; niece, Kaki Linkhart; and many nieces, nephews, and friends. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at 2 PM at Orchard Hill Church, 1465 3 Mile Rd NW. Friends may visit with family beginning at 1 PM. A luncheon will follow the service. Interment will be in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. To read more of Dawn’s Life Story, to leave a memory, or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.