Alice Reese

Alice Reese wasn’t a woman who craved the spotlight, or demanded being the center of attention. It only worked out that way. Alice was such a beautiful, vibrant and effervescent woman, how could it be any other way? She was the kind of woman others were drawn to, in the circle she drew them into, as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Alice’s story began on a cool fall day in 1917, in the railroad town of Hengelo, the Netherlands. Those were such tumultuous times across the globe, with the terrible battles of World War I raging through Europe. Yet the Netherlands remained neutral during the war, and were a small oasis of peace in an otherwise war-torn region. On November 8, 1917, Henry and Grace (Vandyke) Figge celebrated the birth of their second of three children, a beautiful baby girl they named Aly.

Aly grew up in the company of her her older sister Ruby and little sister Helen. When she was in her early teens, however, the family packed up and left their homeland, hoping to find greener pastures in America. But they arrived there in the early 1930s only to find the country in the pit of the Great Depression, and soon returned to the Netherlands. A few years later, they decided to try the United States again, with Aly and her sister Ruby staying behind, until they could save enough money to join their family. Aly worked as a hairdresser, and before long, the family was reunited, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Aly soon became “Alice,” the Americanized version of her name, and began schooling at Davis Tech, working as a hairstylist to pay the bills. Her new life in America was taking shape, including her personal life, too.

One day some friends of her parents introduced Alice to a wonderful man named Harold Reese. Harold was nine years her senior (she was all of about 22 at the time), but the sparks flew between them, and they began dating.

Harold enlisted in the U.S. Army and was sent to Wyoming for basic training. Alice followed him there and they were married in 1941. The newlyweds were soon relocated to Texas, where he finished his training, and where they started their family. By the time he shipped out overseas, the couple had one daughter, Ruth, with another child on the way. Alice and the baby went back to Grand Rapids to await his return.

When the war ended and the family was reunited, they settled into a home in the city, and promptly began filling it with their five wonderful children, Ruth, Mary, Linda, Harold Jr. and Richard. Harold was a carpenter, and built a “spec” home on Collindale NW in the mid-1960s, which never sold, and became the place Alice called home for more than 40 years.

Alice became a full-time homemaker, and was an incredible wife and mother. She dutifully did the cleaning and cooking (her beef roast, mashed potatoes and gravy were matched only by her butter cookies), but really found fulfillment in other ways. She loved tending to her garden, sewing, crocheting and knitting, and especially, painting. Alice was a gifted artist, and created many beautiful pieces over the years.

In the early years, when times were leaner, Alice was a master of making do with what they had. If they painted their house and the color wasn’t quite right, she’d just add food coloring! Instead of buying white shoe polish, she just used chalk. Once, she lost the bead on an earring and simply glued an aspirin in its place.

Alice did, however, have a natural elegance, and an incredible sense of style. She always looked lovely when she went out, fit and fashionable, and took pride in her appearance. It was her personality that drew the most attention, however. She had a natural charisma, and while she was a very humble person, she was incredibly outgoing, with very little inhibition. She was a wonderful entertainer, as well, with a great sense of humor, an easy laugh and a lightening-quick wit.

Eventually, Alice convinced Harold to buy a little cottage on Lake Michigan, where her entertaining talents were put to great use. The family made so many wonderful memories there, and Alice kept an open-door policy, with the more the merrier.

Alice was also a wonderful caretaker, who cared for her children, her husband, and her father-in-law, too, when he lived with them in his final years. Then in 1980, Alice’s beloved husband suffered a stroke, and she lovingly cared for him in their home for a year, until he sadly died in 1981. They had a beautiful marriage, and never fought or fussed, always so affectionate to each other.

Being the independent woman she was, Alice persevered, and lived a very vibrant life. She was a longtime, faithful member of the Ninth Reformed Church, and then joined Highland Hills Christian Reformed Church, where her beautiful soprano voice echoed every Sunday. She sang solos in the church choir, duets with Harold and enjoyed singing with the Calvin Oratorio Society.

Alice traveled often and took three trips back to her native Netherlands over the years. She also wintered in Florida for many years, often getting so busy she would forget to call her family and let them know she arrived safely!

Alice developed Parkinson’s disease in the early 2000s, and moved to the Christian Rest Home in Grand Rapids, where she remained the rest of her days. With her abiding faith Alice lived her last days as she had lived her entire life - content and confident that God was in control. Sadly, Alice died there on Thursday, October 25, 2007, just two weeks shy of her ninetieth birthday.

Alice was an amazing woman, such a beautiful, vibrant and independent lady. She was a woman who never sought the spotlight; it only ended up that way. Alice was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother and friend, who life and love lives on in them today. She will be so greatly missed.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, in 198, and by her sisters Ruby Moretty and Helen Visser. Alice is survived by her children Ruth Baumgart, Mary and Bill DeJonge, Linda and Steve Krystiniak, Harold Reese and Richard Reese; grandchildren Amy (Garrett) Pourron, Sandy Baumgart, Heidi Baumgart, David Baumgart, Bill (Lori) DeJonge, Kim Curths, Brandt (Casey) DeJonge, Erika (Carlos) Ruso; 6 great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Monday, October 29 at 1 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW where relatives and friends may visit with her family on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. Interment in Oakhill Cemetery. In appreciation for the kindness and loving care she received, memorial contributions to the Christian Rest Home are appreciated. You may read more about Alice’s life, share a favorite photo or memory, or sign the online register by visiting www.lifestorynet.com.