Joan Mast

As dear friends and family members will certainly agree, Joan Mast lived a long and fulfilling life, never taking a single moment for granted. She was a kindhearted woman who was generous beyond compare, and she was a constant source of wisdom and strength. Joan’s greatest pride and joy was her family. Her days were filled with service to others and dedication to her loved ones. Deeply loved, Joan’s memory will be forever treasured by those who knew her best.

The 1930s were a tumultuous time for many living in the United States. Following the historic stock market crash just a few short years before, the Great Depression brought with it much hardship and struggle for those living under its heavy shadow. During these dark years, however, there was a ray of light on the horizon for William and Anna (DeGraaf) Boluyt of Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they happily announced the arrival of their new baby. Joan made her entrance into the world on December 1, 1933, joining her large and bustling family as the eleventh child.

From the very beginning, Joan’s life was never boring. She was raised in the family home on the Northeast side of Grand Rapids alongside her fourteen siblings, Marvin, James, William, Neal, David, Madelyn, Bernadine, Wilhelmina, Marie, Jean, Connie, Katherine, Esther, and Betty. Joan’s father, William, supported the family through his career at American Seating. She attended local schools, including Hastings Christian School and Creston High School. Joan graduated from high school in 1951, eager to see what the future held.

As a teenager, Joan met the young man who would forever hold the key to her heart. His name was Adrian Mast, and the two first met at the First Netherlands Reformed Congregation. The Mast family had recently moved to Grand Rapids from the Netherlands, and Adrian was working at Keeler Brass. Joan immediately caught Adrian’s eye, and he pulled her scarf loose while sitting in the pew behind her one day so that he would have an excuse to return it. The two were only 16 at the time, but over the next several months, their relationship blossomed.

During the Korean Conflict, Adrian felt the call to serve his country and enlisted in the United States Army. Throughout his service, Joan and Adrian exchanged letters. By the time he was finally able to return home, they were sure that they were ready to spend the rest of their lives together and quickly got engaged. Joan and Adrian were married on May 6, 1955, in the presence of family and friends. The newlyweds then lived with Adrian’s sister for a time before moving into an apartment of their own. They soon settled down into their own home on Carlton NE.

Before long, Joan’s family began to grow. She and Adrian were overjoyed to welcome their first three daughters, Susan, Karla, and Linda, into their hearts. The Mast family then moved into their longtime home on Hopson NE, where Karen and Dan were born. Joan thrived in her role as a mother. She was so happy to be able to raise her children in the neighborhood she grew up in, with her relatives close. Joan worked tirelessly to balance her responsibilities to her family with her career. While her kids were in school, she would ride the city bus down to her job working for the City of Grand Rapids; first for Law Enforcement and then later transferred to the Purchasing Department, retiring in 1997. Joan loved her work, and she enjoyed being surrounded by people. When the officers needed information on warrants or licenses, they knew to talk to Joan.

Later on, Joan was thrilled to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother. She adored her grandchildren, doting on them whenever she could, and she loved hosting her family at every opportunity. Joan would have her loved ones over after church every week for her “Grandma sandwiches.” She and Adrian enjoyed going down to Florida in the winters to spend time with friends there. Joan was devastated to lose Adrian in 2013, but she leaned on her family and her faith to get through the tough times. She was especially close to her sisters, Esther and Madeline. The three shared a bed growing up in the Great Depression, and in their later years, they lived in the same retirement home. Joan was so grateful to have help and companionship from her devoted caregivers, April, Lacey, Toya, Maria and Elizabeth.

Never one to sit still for long, Joan pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She was a lifelong member of First Netherlands Reformed, where she attended with her family as a girl and first met her husband. Joan loved music, and she could often be heard singing around the house. She enjoyed photography and cherished every stunning sunset. Joan liked sending cards for every occasion and going downtown every Monday night to shop. She was very organized and neat. Joan was famous for her chocolate chip cookies and the Dutch licorice she carried in her purse wherever she went.

Throughout a journey that spanned times of plenty and want, times of war and peace, Joan Mast always held her friends and family members close and never let go. She opened her arms to anyone and everyone, and she didn’t have a single enemy. A dedicated wife of nearly 60 years, mother of five, and grandmother and great-grandmother to many, Joan always considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones. Her unwavering resilience will always be remembered. Though she will be dearly missed, Joan leaves behind a beautiful mosaic of happy moments that those she leaves behind will not forget.

Mrs. Joan Mast, age 91 of Grand Rapids, passed away January 27, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Adrian; grandson, Matthew Kruithoff Jr; son-in-law, Andy Walma; brothers, Marvin, James, William, Neal, David Boluyt; sisters, Madelyn Spaans, Bernadine Swinger, Wilhelmina Lindemulder, Marie Boluyt, Jean Reminga, Connie Rus and Katherine Kuzniak. Joan is survived by her children, Susan Walma, Karla (Jeff Merritt) Marks, Linda (Robert) Lytle, Karen (Matt) Kruithoff, Daniel Mast; 21 grandchildren; and 32 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters, Esther Dykstra and Betty (Paul) Kooyer; sisters-in-law, Anna-Kae Kazmier, Jane Mast, Louise Mast, Ruth Mast, Patti Mast and Liz Boluyt; and many nieces and nephews. A special thank you to Corewell Hospice (April, Lacey, Toya) and her special caregivers, Maria and Elizabeth, for the loving care and compassion shown to Joan. Her funeral service will be held on Friday, January 31, 2025 at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE. Interment will be at Graceland Memorial Park. Her family will receive visitors from 4-7 PM on Thursday and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Plymouth Christian School are appreciated. To read more about Joan’s life, to share a memory or sign the guestbook, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com