Beth Mulder

Loving, caring, and trustworthy, Beth Eileen Mulder lived a life rich in faith and family. Beth was deeply thoughtful, reserved, and often serious; while she was never one to demand the spotlight, she thoroughly enjoyed telling stories that were often exaggerated and funny, with just the right timing and punch lines. Beth embodied the principles of her faith, devoting herself to God, her husband, her family, and those in need. Whether lending her musical talents to her church fellowship, teaching students, working as a nurse, providing for and protecting vulnerable children, tending to her family, or welcoming a new member of her family, Beth gave her best in every moment. A cherished wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Beth will long be remembered by those she so dearly loved.

1948 proved to be a year of continued celebration of the end of World War II. As America's heroes eagerly returned home, a renewed spirit and hope filled the air. American prosperity grew like no other time in our history. The Greatest Generation soon proliferated, creating the age of the Baby Boomers. A cause for celebration grew even greater for Harold and Gladys (Verhulst) Mentink as they welcomed their daughter Beth to their family on January 24 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Growing up in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, Beth shared a close bond with her two younger brothers, Michael and Dale, that lasted her entire life. Her father worked as a heavy equipment operator while her mother worked in retail sales. Members of the First Christian Reformed Church of Sheboygan, the family typically celebrated holidays by attending the city parade in the morning, going to a nearby lake during the day, and watching fireworks in Oostburg, Wisconsin, at night.

Beth attended the Sheboygan Christian School through Grade 9. Having grown to 5’10” by late Junior High, her brothers remember how she dominated other girls in tetherball. Beth’s love of music led her to play the clarinet, the French horn, and the piano. During her high school years, she enjoyed marching in city parades on major holidays with the high school band. As a junior in high school, she began playing the organ at her church, a love she carried throughout the rest of her life. A disciplined student, Beth was always on the Honor Roll, and after graduating from North High School with the class of 1966, she continued her education at Dordt College in Sioux Center, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education in 1970. A lifelong learner, Beth continued her studies, earning a Master of Education from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York, and in 1993, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Augustana College in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

While a student at Dordt College, Beth met he future husband, Ken Mulder, during exam week of their freshman year. Ken tried to study for his exams, but ended up studying a girl instead. After a summer of letters, they reconnected the next fall and started dating.

The happy couple married on August 22, 1969, at 1st Christian Reformed Church of Sheboygan, just before the start of their senior year. They spent their honeymoon driving the full circuit around Lake Michigan, including stops in Fond du Lac, Green Bay, Escanaba, and Newberry. By the time they reached Gaylord, the young couple were so short of money they were forced to stay with Ken’s aunt and uncle in Grand Rapids, who – instead of providing additional funding – advised them on how to strategically avoid tolls through Chicago, including a hand-drawn map.

After Beth and Ken graduated from college, Ken was drafted, and they moved to Kentucky. As Beth’s father’s career in construction demanded his attention during the summers, family vacations were very infrequent. However, over the Independence Day weekend in 1971, the family went to see Beth and her new husband, Ken, while he was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. They had a wonderful time visiting Churchill Downs and trying, unsuccessfully, to see all the gold stored in Fort Knox. On the return trip, the family car broke down, resulting in an unplanned hotel stay and a missed day of work, which reinforced for Harold the frivolity of such extravagances as family trips.

After living in Kentucky for two years, Ken and Beth moved back near Beth’s hometown in Wisconsin, before heading to Rochester, New York, to begin their careers as schoolteachers. After New York, they moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. After teaching for 17 years, Beth returned to school full-time to study nursing at the age of 40. She finished her career working for 18 years as a school nurse.

Near-charter members of Shalom CRC in Sioux Falls, SD, Beth and Ken were blessed to adopt two children, Jonathan and Nathanael. They also lovingly shared their home as foster parents to Johnny Flying Horse for a year. Beth was an organist for many years at Shalom CRC and the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. She also sang in the church choir. After raising their two adopted children, Beth and Ken became CASA advocates to speak to the legal system on behalf of children with troubled home situations. In the early 2000s, Ken and Beth tutored Sudanese refugees, the “Lost Boys.”

As a family, in the early 90s, the four Mulders took off in the family minivan to drive from Sioux Falls, SD, to Washington, DC. On that trip, they learned that some cars don’t run well on ethanol, and that it’s important to check that everyone is wearing shoes before the trip starts (Nate!). The family also enjoyed trips to amusement Parks, including Valley Fair in Minnesota, Worlds of Fun in Kansas, Six Flags in Chicago, and many trips to the duck boats and water slides in the Wisconsin Dells. They hiked at the Crazy Horse Monument, explored Mt. Rushmore, and also attended CSI (Christian Schools International) Teaching Conventions in New York and Colorado.

After retirement and the move to Michigan, Beth and Ken became members of LaGrave CRC in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where Beth continued to share her musical talents. Without exception, her favorite music to listen to and play was instrumental piano and pipe organ music. These years also gifted Beth and Ken with additional time to travel the world. Their adventures took them on a Mediterranean Cruise, to Alaska, China, and Israel. One extremely memorable trip was the Tiger Cruise on the USS Reagan from Hawaii to San Diego during Nate’s active duty in the Navy.

Closer to home, Beth enjoyed her insatiable drive to hunt for bargains. She loved collecting many things, including antique furniture, mostly acquired at auctions. Ken’s house is adorned with eclectic displays of Hull pottery and head vases, which were popular in the fifties; however, at more than $75 per vase, her son Nate often looked at them and saw instead the opportunity for a 50” flat screen and other modern electronics. She loved auctions and would often surprise Ken with purchases that frequently required alternative transportation. One example was six skids of assorted colors of house bricks at the bargain price of $100. After much complaint and consternation, Ken successfully turned this purchase into a beautiful front walk that remains a constant reminder of Beth’s spontaneity and Ken’s steadfast love.

Beth also enjoyed the simple pleasures of reading a compelling book and sharing a favorite meal. Beth loved reading fiction, but she was not entertained by light or simple material. She enjoyed books that tackled heavy, complicated life issues. One of her personal favorites was All the Light We Cannot See, by Anthony Doerr. When it came to cooking, Beth related to the task as more of an obligation than a joy, though her sons remember many meatloaves, lasagnas, and pot roasts. She always loved Italian food, especially pizza. Her favorite restaurant was Amore Trattoria Italiana on the north side of Grand Rapids; however, she also had a soft spot for Cheetos and candy bars.

As a mother, Beth was unique and indefinable. There was never the perfect Hallmark card that accurately described her mother-son relationship. She was protective and loving; kind, but neither soft nor warm. Despite struggling with depression for most of her adult life, she always made it clear that it was her struggle and that her sadness was never her children’s fault. She also very clearly loved her sons with all her heart. A private woman, she didn’t share much of her inner self, but she made up for it by hanging on every word as her loved ones shared their lives with her. Her laugh was infectious, and her facial expressions overly dramatic and entertaining. Without exception, she made sure that her family knew that she loved them unashamedly, wholeheartedly, and enthusiastically. Even after she became sick and was frequently tired, Beth made every effort to show her love and devotion in whatever ways she could.

As we celebrate Beth’s life, may we find comfort in knowing that she is at peace. May we also find comfort in our many treasured memories and the honor of carrying her legacy of perseverance, love, and faith forward. In each moment, we confidently face life’s challenges, choose faith over fear, give our time and talents in service of others, welcome opportunities to learn and grow, explore the world with our beloveds, and reflect our love for others in the best ways we know how, we keep Beth’s memory alive and inspire others as she so inspired us.

Beth Eileen Mulder, age 77, of Caledonia, Michigan, and Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away on Saturday, October 18, 2025, in the company of her family and in the comfort of her home.

Beth was born in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to the late Harold and Gladys [Verhulst] Mentink in January of 1948.

Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her in-laws, Arnold (Joan) Mulder, Dalwyn Vanden Hoek, and Helen DeVries.

Beth is survived by her husband of 56 years, Kenneth Lee Mulder, and their two sons, Jonathan (Zoe) Mulder and Nathanael Mulder, as well as by her grandchildren, Pete, Amy, Ashley, Isaac, Zachary, and Charlotte, and many great-grandchildren. Beth is also survived by her brothers, Michael (Joan) Mentink, Dale (Kathleen) Mentink, and sister-in-law Sharon Vanden Hoek, as well as by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 11 AM with visitation prior beginning 10 AM at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church (107 LaGrave Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503). All are invited to a reception following.

Celebrate Beth’s life by sharing your favorite stories and pictures on her dedicated memory page at Heritagelifestory.com