Adrian Oele

With a life that spanned nearly a century, Adrian Oele accomplished many things throughout his life, yet nothing was of greater importance to him than sharing his story of faith to anyone with an open heart and a willing spirit. He taught us to be content in all things, the gift of unconditional love, and the importance of doing everything for the glory of God.

The decade of the 1910s was a time of great trial for our nation as we dealt with unsafe working conditions and the lack of child labor laws which left countless unhappy workers from coast to coast. Amidst this time of trial there was great joy for one young family from Grand Rapids, Michigan, since it was on September 23, 1914, that they welcomed the birth of a baby boy. Adrian was greeted by his loving parents, John and Katherine (Hoekstra) Oele, and was the oldest of four boys in his family. He was raised on the west side of the city where he attended West Side Christian School, but he left school in order to find work, earning extra money to help the family. Adrian worked in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) program, which often took him up north.

Life would never be the same for Adrian after meeting a young woman named Rose Dusnick. They met at a bakery in Grand Rapids where Adrian was working and after falling in love, the couple married on November 9, 1940. Not long after, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Loretta. As America entered WWII, the family of three was soon separated as Adrian joined the Army and was sent overseas where he served predominantly as a cook in England.

After the war, Adrian returned to his family and found work at a number of bakeries for the rest of his working days including Herpolsheimer’s, the Morton House, and Blodgett Hospital.

In so many ways, Adrian made the most of each day. He was a man of faith who attended Bethel Reformed Church for years and more recently, Seventh Reformed Church. During his younger years Adrian enjoyed bowling, but it was golf that he pursued later in life. He could often be found puttering around in the yard, and his retirement years provided him with plenty of time to help watch the grandsons he treasured. As his quiver grew to include great-grandchildren, Adrian savored the time he spent with this younger generation as well.

During the sunset of their lives, Adrian and Rose needed additional care so they moved to the Christian Rest Home. Adrian was deeply saddened with the death of his beloved Rose in 2007 after 66 years of marriage.

Known for his happy demeanor and upbeat spirit, Adrian Oele was a gift in the lives of many. He treasured his faith and his family above all else and spent his days bringing so much joy to those around him.

Adrian Oele died on March 12, 2011. Adrian’s family includes his daughter Loretta Visser (Curtis) Vrieland; grandchildren James Visser, Jonathan (Lindsay) Visser; great-grandchildren Michael Segard, Shandi, Grace and Audrey Visser. Adrian was preceded in death by his wife, Rose, in 2007. A funeral service will be held on at 11 a.m. on Monday, March 14 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW with Rev. Bill Fennema officiating. Friends may visit with his family from 10 a.m. until the time of the service. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory or make a memorial donation to either the Christian Rest Home or Words of Hope.