Cora Schut

Live right by God – this is the lesson Cornelia “Cora” Schut lived by, the compass her heart followed every day of her life. A lovingly devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Cora faced many challenges in her lifetime, yet enjoyed many triumphs as well. Her greatest triumph was found in her beloved family, who carry her love and lessons with them today.

Cornelia was born on May 31, 1920, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands to Paulus and Isabella (Verhagen) Byl. She was the second of their seven children. Like millions of others, the Byl family had heard about the great freedoms and jobs in America, so they left their home and immigrated to the United States in 1923. Cora was only 3 when her family voyaged across the Atlantic Ocean to their new home, but she distinctively remembered scrambling to the deck to see the majestic Statute of Liberty as they entered New York Harbor.

The family settled in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the Grandville Avenue area. Paulus soon found work as a tool and die maker, while Isabella stayed home caring for their children. The Byl’s were members of Coldbrook Christian Reformed Church, and this strong Christian upbringing would always be an important part of Cora’s life. Her parents rented the church’s old parsonage and made it into their home. Cora received her formal education in Franklin Christian School and graduated from Creston High in 1938. An excellent student, she had aspirations of becoming a teacher, however, there wasn’t enough money to send her to college.

Cora met her wonderful husband, Cornelius “Neal” Schut, while walking across the Leonard Street bridge one Sunday night, as was the practice of kids after church. The two were smitten with each other from the start and began dating. They enjoyed taking leisure drives together and getting some cokes and cake along the way. One time, Neal invited Cora to go to the beach in Grand Haven with him, and he was quite surprised when he went to pick her up and her entire family piled into the car. In God's plan, Cora and Neal fell in love and were married in her church on September 21, 1944, and afterwards honeymooned at the Warm Friend Hotel in Holland, Michigan.

The couple settled into married life together in a small apartment on the corner of College and Michigan Streets. Neal provided for them with his job at Michigan Wheel, while Cora worked in the office at an auto parts store. Over the next several years, the couple was blessed with six wonderful children: Mary (1945), Sue (1950), Paul (1952), Jane (1955), Jim (1963) and Tim (1966), all of whom brought them great pride and joy. As a dedicated and loving mother, Cora was an excellent example to her children. She taught them good habits and strong values that would guide them through their lives. One of the most important lessons she taught them was to love the Lord and his ways. Cora and Neal sacrificed much to send their children to Christian schools, and the family were members of West Leonard Street Christian Reformed Church, though they were always late because Cora had the breakfast dishes cleaned up before leaving the house. In addition to attending two services on Sunday, the children participated in Sunday school, catechism class and youth groups. At home, the family faithfully had prayer and devotions at every meal, and Cora read her children Bible stories before bed on Sunday nights.

The Schut home was a place of great pride for Cora. The family had moved a few times over the years but eventually made their home at 2441 Longmeadow. Here, Cora enjoyed cooking many great meals for her family, though it wasn’t unusual for her to forget the applesauce or make way too many potatoes. Cora’s motherly love often overflowed to the neighborhood kids as she often handed out popsicles to them on a hot summer day. She also fed just about any animal that happened by, and once gave a deer a peppermint, who liked it so much he followed her into the house for more.

Time together as a family was always important to Cora and Neal and they enjoyed several family vacations to places like the Smokey Mountains and Wisconsin Dells. For many years, they also rented a cottage on Spider Lake, and later bought a trailer on Little Whitefish Lake in 1976. Besides being devoted to their family, Cora and Neal owned and operated GEM Letter Service on West Leonard Street for many years. They later expanded the business to include printing, and some of the extra work was done at home in their sunroom. Although the business had its struggles, they were able to make it work and have a nice retirement.

In her leisure time, Cora enjoyed sewing and knitting, or playing board games, especially Scrabble and Rook. She could also be heard singing while working around the house to music from her favorite station, WFUR. Sadly, Cora lost her beloved husband, Neal, in 1993. She stayed in their home as long as she could before suffering two strokes in 2004. She then moved to Covenant Village of the Great Lakes and then just two weeks before her death to Tendercare Health Services of Wyoming.

Cora will be missed by all who knew and loved her, and although she was an important part of our past, we know she will also be part of our future.

On Friday, April 11, the spirit of Cornelia Schut left her frail, earthly body behind and soared to meet the Lord she loved and served. Her husband, Cornelius “Neal” Schut, preceded her in death. Cora is survived by her six children: Mary (Joseph) Polonowski, Susan (Martin) Lettinga, Paul (Jane) Schut, Jane (George) Deremiah, Jim (Porta) Schut, and Tim (Kathy) Schut. She will also be fondly remembered and greatly missed by 16 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Cora was a faithful wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoyed cooking, sewing, caring for her home, reading, and writing poetry. She taught her children in God’s way, and rejoiced that each of them walks in that way. Three of her sisters have passed away: Klazina DeBoer, Elizabeth Walma, and Bella Stevens. Her surviving siblings are sisters: Stella Willems and Sophia Pollie, brother, William (Mary) Byl, and brothers-in-law, Henry Schut and Albert DeBoer. She is also survived by a host of nieces and nephews and very special friends, Greg & Jackie Bockheim. The family would like to thank the staff at Covenant Village these past three years, the staff at Tendercare these past weeks, and Faith Hospice these past days for their compassionate and gentle care of our mom and grandma.

If you would like to make a memorial contribution in Cora’s honor, please consider The Bible League, The Back to God Hour, or The Luke Society. Cora’s family will be available to share memories and greet friends on Monday, April 14, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 851 Leonard NW, Grand Rapids. A service to celebrate her life will be held at West Leonard Street Christian Reformed Church on Tuesday, April 15, at 12 noon, with a time for visiting one hour prior to the service. Please visit Cora’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may sign her online guest book or share a memory or photo with her family if you are unable to attend.

Psalm 89:1 – I will sing of the Lord’s great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.