Claire Hoogerhyde

Claire Hoogerhyde was a woman of uncommon beauty and grace, which overflowed to everything around her, from the flowers in her garden, to the handwriting in her letters, to the family she loved most of all. Claire was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and a woman who brightened the lives of all who knew her.

Claire’s story began on a cool spring day in 1918, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were such tumultuous times in this country, which was enduring the terrible battles of World War I overseas. Even in those difficult times, Joseph and Jennie (Smit) Bengelink found reason to celebrate, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl on April 11, 1918, a daughter they named Clara.

Her parents called her Claire, which sounded more “American” to the Dutch-immigrant family. Claire’s three oldest siblings were born in the Netherlands, while she and her three younger siblings were born in Grand Rapids.

Claire attended Grand Rapids schools growing up, during the same time as other notables, like Betty Ford. She also used to watch over a younger boy named Rich DeVos on their walk to school each day! Times were very tough on the family when she was growing up, especially after the Depression hit. When she once got a new pair of shoes, she would take them off for the walks to and from school, so she wouldn’t wear them out!

After she graduated from high school, she began working as a treasurer, earning just $6 a week. Always thinking of others before herself, she gave half of the money to her family, and also saved to help pay her brother’s college tuition.

Claire grew into a strikingly beautiful young woman, and soon fell in love with a man named John Hoogerwerf and was married. The dark skies of World War II soon thundered upon our shores, however, and John ran off to join the fight. When the war was nearing its conclusion, Claire went to California to await his arrival. Sadly, John was aboard the USS Indianapolis, which was tragically sunk on its return trip home.

Claire was devastated by her husband’s death, and not knowing what to do, she relied on her deep faith in the Lord to get her through. She returned to Grand Rapids, and resumed her life as best as she could.

Just a short time later, Claire was persuaded to go on a blind date with a young man named Sidney Hoogerhyde, who also was a recent widower with two small children. Neither one of them felt like dating, though they reluctantly took a car ride to Grand Haven together. By the return trip home, they knew they were meant to be together, instantly falling deeply in love.

The two were married not long after, beginning a picture-perfect marriage. They always told people that “if your marriage is like ours, you are truly blessed.” The new family lived on Escott Street NW, near Richmond Park, and Claire became a loving mother to Sid’s small children, Joyce and Sidney, raising them as her own.

Claire was a wonderful wife and mother, who raised the children with plenty of love, attention, and discipline, too. She kept a clean home, and like everything in her life, it was very organized. She loved to decorate inside and out, and had a natural talent for gardening. She was a great cook, too, though she stuck to mostly meat-and-potatoes meals, which were always perfectly prepared. Though, like every part of her life, presentation was always very important.

Claire was always a very beautiful woman (with great legs, too, her family remembers), who took pride in her appearance, and would touch up her makeup before Sid came home from work, to look her best for him. For all her beauty, Claire was always shy and humble, and always a very proper lady. She was also a very gracious host, too, and she and Sid threw many wonderful dinner parties over the years.

After her son was older, Claire began working at Haughton Elevator as a secretary. She was such an intelligent, organized and hardworking person, and she kept that business running like clockwork.

Eventually, she and Sid retired, giving them more time to do the many things they loved, and time to be together. Theirs was a marriage so much more than just special. Even though she was normally a reserved person, Claire had a wonderful little giggle, and she loved to share a laugh with her loving husband.

Claire also loved playing golf, and did quite a bit in retirement, especially during their winters in Florida. Of course, her favorite pastime was spending time with her loving family.

Their families' fondest memories were formed at their cottage on Big Star Lake, which Claire and Sidney built together, beginning in 1949. Over the next 57 years, the family spent so many wonderful times there, every weekend in the summer, then after retirement, the entire summers there, with winters spent near Bradenton, Florida. The cottage was a familiar haven for their children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, too.

Claire adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and had a wonderful way of being nurturing and fun at the same time. Her grandkids, of course, loved visiting their cottage and home in Florida every chance they got.

Sadly, Claire’s beloved husband died in 1999, after battling health problems for a few years, during which she lovingly cared for him. After his death, her daughter Joyce moved in with her, which was special for both of them. Joyce provided comfort and support to Claire, and they enjoyed “outings” together, too. She also relied on her faith and church family at 12th Street Christian Reformed Church, where she was a longtime member. Claire was a woman of such deep faith, who truly believed in Providence, and God’s plan for everyone. With a quiet faith, she often reveled at God's powerful hand in creation and in her own life.

As her health declined, she moved to St. Mary’s Living Center in 2004, where she would remain the rest of her days.

Sadly, Claire passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, June 22, 2007, at the age of 89.

Claire was a remarkable woman, of such great beauty and grace, such powerful faith and love for her family. Claire was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, whose beauty truly blessed the lives of all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, John Hoogerwerf Jr., who died in World War II and by her second husband, Sidney; as well as her brothers, sisters and in-laws: Henna and Morris Voorhees, Grace and Art Carpenter, Martin and Fay Bengelink, Henry and Pearl Bengelink, Marie and Henry Boss, Ben and Ruby Bengelink, Harvey and Fan VanderArk, John Piersma and Ladd Broene.

Claire is survived by her children Joyce Edkins and Sidney and Jill Hoogerhyde; grandchildren Jeannine and Ray Lanning, Jackie and Brian Noordewier, Dean Rosendall, Martha and Chris Martin, Kimberley Hoogerhyde; great grandchildren Jessica and James Slagter, Jacqueline Lanning, Taylor, Megan and Jake Noordewier; Logan Martin; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Gen Piersma, Carol Broene, Lee and Gerri Ver Duine, Al and Mary Scholtens, Henry and Arlynne Ritsema as well as many nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate Claire’s life will be held on Tuesday, June 26 at 2 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW where relatives and friends may visit with her family from 1 PM until the time of the service. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery. To read more about her life or to share a favorite photo or memory, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.