Arden Gravelyn

Arden Gravelyn’s life illustrates the fact that we get out of life exactly what we put into it: Arden invested much, and the returns exceeded her expectations. The true beauty of Arden’s life, however, is that everything she did – for family, for friends, for the children on her school bus and the patients in the hospital she volunteered at – was not done with the expectation of recompense, but simply out of the goodness of her heart. Despite this, she was indeed richly rewarded, with a devoted husband, healthy children and grandchildren, close friends and a life filled with laughter and smiles.

On May 26, 1930, David and Henrietta Goethal were delighted by the birth of their first and only child, a beautiful baby girl whom they christened Arden Joyce. The Goethal family lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where David owned Goethal’s Automotive (an auto supply store), and Henrietta was a homemaker. Arden grew up on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, on the corner of Belknap and Aberdeen Street. Along with the other children in her neighborhood, she learned her ABCs at Aberdeen Elementary School. Arden also had a sound religious background and belonged to the Second Congregational Church near their home. Doted on by her parents, Arden had a bright and happy childhood; some of her fondest memories were of afternoons spent riding horses and day trips to the beach.

The years flew swiftly by, and almost without knowing it, Arden grew into a graceful young lady. She attended classes at Creston High School, where she took advantage of both the academic and social activities that Creston High had to offer. Not only a member of the National Honor Society, she also participated in several clubs and performed in the school play. Outgoing and full of life, Arden had many friends in high school. One of the friendships she valued most highly, however, was with a classmate named Jay Gravelyn. They met in the tenth grade and it wasn’t long before their friendship blossomed into romance. The following years only brought them closer together and the young couple decided to get married after high school.

Arden graduated in 1948, one year after Jay. “Ardie” kept her promise to Jay and on September 24, 1949, Arden and Jay were united in holy matrimony. Married in a simple ceremony in the home of the minister of the First Congregational Church, they spent their one-night honeymoon in Lansing, Michigan. Whatever their wedding may have lacked in pomp and ceremony, however, was more than made up for by the love and commitment in the hearts of the bride and groom. That day marked the beginning of fifty-eight wonderful years together, years filled with joy, laughter and family.

Arden and Jay started their married life in an apartment in her grandparents’ home. Arden quickly found a job at a drugstore on Plainfield Avenue, while Jay worked at Goethal’s Automotive Supply. Ever since she was a little girl Arden had wanted to be a nurse, and she began attending classes at Wayne State in order to achieve this goal. After completing a year of classes, however, she left school in order to begin a family. Over the years Arden and Jay were blessed with five children: Marty, Jayme, Gary, Sara and Joshua. Although Arden tried hiring a chemistry tutor to keep up with classes from home, she soon realized that her family needed her more (and that she hated chemistry). Typical of Arden’s generous nature and optimistic outlook, she willingly gave up her dream and settled down to caring for her family full-time, all with a smile on her face.

As their family grew, the Gravelyns no longer fit into their small apartment. They moved out, living in various houses in Grand Rapids before finally settling down on Windemere NE. The house was comfortable and Arden and Jay made it more so by building a pool in the backyard. They enjoyed the pool for many years, which soon became a focal point for social activities and family gatherings.

Arden and Jay were committed and active parents, always making time for their children’s’ activities. For example, they could often be spotted attending sporting events, first at East Oakview Elementary and later at Kenowa Public Schools. They also spent a lot of time together as a family, including frequent vacations. Their favorite destination was Florida, so much so that Arden and Jay eventually bought a condo there. At home, Arden expressed love for her family through cooking, putting delicious “comfort food” meals on the table every night.

After her children were in school, Arden got a job as a school bus driver. Invariably cheerful, well-dressed, and with a bright smile on her face, Arden made sure that every student started out the day with a happy outlook. She also sold cosmetics in a department store where her well-coiffed hair and trendy clothes convinced many customers that her recommendations could be trusted. In her free time, she volunteered as a pink lady at the local hospital. This experience, as well as her background in nursing, equipped Arden to be an ideal caregiver for her mother and her Aunt Sally as they entered their senior years when they needed more care. It was a great comfort to them to receive Arden’s care in there final years and to be taken care of and surrounded by family. At home, Arden loved nothing more than to work in her garden. Her flower gardens were true works of beauty, admired by all. In addition to a having “green thumb,” Arden was also a very hard worker, often working until dark getting things just right!

As Arden grew older herself, her life was brightened by the addition of many grandchildren. She spent countless happy hours baking treats or just reading their favorite books aloud to them. Arden also continued to host Sunday dinners and frequent poolside gatherings. Everyone was welcome and far from seeing the extra work as a burden, Arden positively enjoyed the flurry of activity. Arden and Jay began to spend more and more time in sunny Florida, at first just the winters, but gradually most of the year. Arden loved the warm weather and spent most of her time either on the golf course or lounging at the beach with her beloved husband. A highlight of every year was the Christmas season when children and grandchildren traveled to Florida to spend the holiday season together. Arden always made a big deal out of the holidays, taking great care in preparations of the house, outfits and meals.

Sadly, Jay’s health eventually began to fail, and in 2007 he was diagnosed with a liver tumor. Arden and Jay moved back to Michigan to live with their daughter, Jayme. Despite his family’s dedicated care, treatment proved ineffective and Jay passed away in same year. Arden was devastated by the loss of her companion and helpmate of fifty-eight years but found comfort in spending time with her remaining family members.

Blessed with a sunny disposition and a bright, outgoing personality, Arden Gravelyn was a deeply devoted wife and mother, grandmother and friend. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her many friends and family members.

Arden passed away into the arms of her Heavenly Father on March 3, 2012, at the age of eighty-one. She is survived by her children, Martin (Vicki) Gravelyn Sr., Jayme Nyp, Gary Gravelyn and his significant other, Karen Lindstrom, Joshua (Dawn) Gravelyn, and Sara Towers and her significant other, Steve Hafner; her sons-in-law, Michael Nyp, Timothy Hansen and Todd Towers; her grandchildren, Seth Gravelyn, Mackenzie Gravelyn, Amanda (Patrick) Sorelle, Martin (Dawn) Gravelyn II, Jason Nyp and his significant other, Sara Westveld, Brandee Nyp, Cody Nyp, Katie Einberger, Lucas (Tara) Gravelyn, Adam (Michelle) Gravelyn, Jessica Towers, Justin Towers, Summer Gravelyn, and Trevor Gravelyn; 13 great-grandchildren; her stepmother Jane Goethal; and special family friend Connie Stengel. Arden was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Jay Gravelyn.

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E., with Rev. Bruce Wilson officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to visit with her family Wednesday, at the funeral home, from 1 p.m. until the time of the memorial service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Spectrum Health Hospice would be appreciated. Please visit Arden’s personal memory page at lifestorynet.com, where you can learn more about her life, share a favorite memory or photo, and sign the online guestbook.