Catherine VanderZouwen

Catherine VanderZouwen was a beautiful person to know and to love. An exceptional wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, she relished in bringing joy to the hearts of the ones she loved. She lived her life to the fullest. Although she will be deeply missed, she leaves behind a wonderful legacy of having both gratitude and grace in anything she experienced in life.

On March 15, 1927, Martin and Lena (Kloet) Douma, welcomed Catherine, into their home, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Born the tenth child of twelve, her birth brought great joy into their hearts and home.

Growing up on the west side of Grand Rapids, near Richmond Park, Catherine enjoyed a memorable childhood. With a large family, she was used to sharing, even her bicycle. Raised with a frugal mindset, Catherine appreciated the simple pleasures in life from a young age. She enjoyed ice skating at the local parks in the winter months and visiting the shoreline in the summer. Catherine graduated from Union High School and entered the world of work as a Bell Telephone operator for many years before she became a stay-at-home mom. Together, she and Harold raised two wonderful children, Mark and Marlene.

The roller rink was the perfect setting for her to meet the young man who stole her heart, Harold VanderZouwen. Smitten from the start, they dated a couple of years before joining in marriage on October 30, 1946, at Harold's grandparent’s home. The newlyweds lived in a few apartments before building their forever home on Leonard St. NW, in Tallmadge Township. Their home was in a row of homes owned by her parents and three of her sisters which allowed for plenty of time with her family.

As a mom, Catherine was very involved in her children's lives. She loved helping out in their schools and volunteering her time to support them in many ways. During these years, Harold often worked 2nd shift, and she managed the nightly routines and discipline which luckily they didn’t need much. Most days, Catherine shared morning coffee with her mother and sister, at her mother’s house, and often, several other family members joined as well. This provided her own family with an example of the importance of family togetherness. Catherine took great pride in maintaining the family home and keeping things tidy. There was a period of time when she even ironed the sheets and pillowcases! She wanted nothing but the best for her loved ones and made sure they were always at the top of her list!

As a family, they attended Standale Reformed Church where she and Harold were some of the very first members. They wanted to raise their children with a strong foundation of faith and remained in the church throughout their lives. When it came to relaxation, they enjoyed renting a cottage for the family. When the kids were older, she and Harold purchased a cottage in Walhalla and enjoyed Long Lake. There, she and Harold enjoyed golf cart rides down to the water, pontoon boat rides and evening campfires with friends. Catherine enjoyed hosting her own family each Sunday for dinner through the years. Nothing made her happier than to have everyone gathered together.

When Harold started his own business, Catherine took an interest in keeping the books. Her keen eye for detail served her well in that role. She liked to keep up on her “stories” (soap operas) and preparing Harold his favorite meat and potatoes meal. They modeled a beautiful marriage and enjoyed a variety of friendships through the years. Most of their friendships were through her and Harold’s families, their church family, neighbors, and Harold’s work relationships. For many years, the two of them tended a small apple farm on their property. Although Harold did most of the outside work, she would do her part to get the apples ready for sale or incorporating them into meals. Her family always savored her homemade apple pie! She and Harold were wonderful partners and lived a life filled with many special moments.

Catherine felt very blessed in her role as a grandmother and great grandmother. Much like her years as a mom, she attended many of their special events and school performances. She cherished every stage of their lives and treated them to picnics outside and even introduced them to coffee! She had a special relationship with each of them. After Harold passed away in 2019, she relied on her daughter, Marlene, for much of her help, driving, and companionship. The past two years, Catherine was staying at Edison Christian Living but, it never quite felt like home.

Catherine will be deeply missed by her many special friends and loved ones. Anyone who was in her presence was made to feel special, as she was a good listener and a caring friend. May the memories of her loving personality surround their hearts with warmth and comfort them in the years ahead.

Mrs. Catherine VanderZouwen, age 98 of Grand Rapids, Michigan, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 7, 2025. She was preceded in death by her parents, Martin & Lena Douma; husband of nearly 73 years, Harold; as well as all of her siblings and their spouses: George (Pryna) Douma, Genevieve Douma, Theresa (Henry) Dyksterhouse, infant sister, Leona Douma, Leona (Henry) Mulder, Martin Douma Jr., Leonard (Alice) Douma, Martha (Henry) Harberts, Wilma (Evart) Erickson, William (Dawn) Douma, and Nellie (Marvin) Post.

Catherine is survived by her children, Mark Harold & Laura VanderZouwen, Marlene Kay & Darrel Bergsma; grandchildren: Adam VanderZouwen, Amanda & Mike Walma; great grandchildren, Colton and Valery Walma; brother-in-law, Don (Sheryl) VanderZouwen; sister- in-law, Audrey Nienhuis, as well as many nieces and nephews.

The service to remember and celebrate Catherine’s life will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2025 at 6 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 4 PM. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens.

Her family suggests memorial donations to either Bethany Christian Services or Standale Reformed Church. To sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.heritagelifestory.com