David Vander Molen

David Vander Molen was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend who never shied from hard work and also knew how to have a good time. David lived his faith, welcoming each day as a gift and confidently facing life's challenges. He enjoyed outdoor and sporting adventures, working on various projects, and lending his time and talents to serve others. Without a doubt, David's family was his greatest pride, joy, and comfort.

Despite the obvious gloom of the growing conflict in Europe, 1938 held much to celebrate, including the end of the Great Depression, Seabiscuit's historic win, and Superman's first appearance. As the U.S. actively armed up for war, families continued to center their lives on love and hope for a brighter future. Nowhere was that hope more evident than in the Vander Molen home as they welcomed David to their family on October 10 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

David grew up and lived his entire life on the northwest side of Grand Rapids, where his parents were founding members of Fairview Reformed Church. Sadly, his birth mother, Martina DeKorver, died in 1944 of cancer when David was six years old and his brother Larry was just two. David began his schooling at Fairview Elementary school and enjoyed all kinds of outdoor activities while growing up, including hunting pheasant, fishing, sledding at Richmond Park, ice skating, water skiing, going to the beach, and just having a normal childhood for the time. In 1945, his father married Pearl Teitsma, who became David's mother figure throughout life.

After graduating from Union High School in 1956, David began working at the local dairy, where he came to know his fellow co-worker, Carol Danielson. Though he and Carol had first met in high school, their romance began with David's requests for her hot fudge sundaes.

The happy couple dated for two years before marrying on July 18, 1959, at Fairview Reformed Church, officially beginning their 61-year adventure together. David and Carol lived in a small apartment on 7th Street before moving to the house David built on Cogswell Street.

In time, David and Carol were blessed to welcome four children to their family. Joan, Kathy, Linda, and David were the centers of David and Carol's lives, and they worked hard to provide their children with a loving home. While the kids continued to get older, the family moved to Texas Street, where David lived until he moved into assisted living many years later. As in David's youth, the family attended Fairview Church, which later became Orchard Hills Church.

A hard worker, David first provided for his family by working at Crystal Flash gas station and Stehouwer's meat processing and packaging. From there, he found work at Rapid Engineering, where he became a sheet metal journeyman, fabricating, installing, and assembling sheet-metal products and systems. After a change in the union, David left Rapid Engineering and worked for Franklin Holwerda Heating and Cooling before returning to Rapid Engineering. Several years later, he started and worked at Northwoods Industrial Inc., where he worked until he retired. Not only did David work many hours in his career, but he also worked hard helping his neighbors, friends and other family members with various projects.

Despite the demands of his job, David attended all of his kids' sporting events, band concerts, and special family events. He coached Little League for his son and was the president of the band boosters. The family enjoyed many camping trips in both the lower and upper peninsulas with the favorite being Silver Lake and the sand dunes. They eventually bought a year-round cottage on Crawford Lake near Kalkaska, which became their family's favorite place to relax and spend time together. Many wonderful pontoon rides, campfires, and water sports were enjoyed. David loved boating, skiing, tubbing, and fishing. He was known for his intense, competitive tubing, he even skied until he was 70, and was a lifelong member of the Michigan Steel Headers. In retirement, David and Carol also enjoyed several vacations in Hawaii.

December of 2017 they moved into Heather Hills Assisted Living where David became very involved in the community's sporting events. Whether playing chair volleyball, floor hockey, darts, or any other game, David was very competitive. Carol died in 2020, and David moved into Holland Home Raybrook in 2023.

As we celebrate David's life, may we find comfort in our many treasured memories and in knowing that we keep his legacy alive each time we confidently take on a new project, spend time on the water, play a sport, share our gifts with others, and say "yes" to an adventure with our beloveds.

David Vander Molen, age 87, of Grand Rapids, MI, went to be with his Lord and Savior on November 14, 2025. David is preceded in death by his wife, Carol Vander Molen. David is survived by his children, Joan (David) Parks, Kathy (Rick) Uzarski, Linda (Russ) DeVries, and David (Jeannie) Vander Molen; grandchildren, Casey (Chris) Olson, Ricky Uzarski, Ryan Uzarski, Lauren DeVries, Alexandra Vander Molen, Mekenzie Vander Molen, and Karrington Vander Molen; and great-grandchildren, Corbin and Carsyn Olson.

The family extends a special thank you to the staff of Holland Home Raybrook Manor and Faith Hospice for their compassionate and loving care. David's family would also like to thank Deb Peters for her loving visits to David. A memorial service will be held Monday, November 24, 2025, at 11 AM at Raybrook Manor Chapel, located at 2121 Raybrook St SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, with a luncheon to follow. Friends may visit with family beginning at 10 AM. Parking is available in the Holland Home parking lot located across the street.

Memorials in David's memory may be made to the Kids Food Basket. To read more of his life story, to leave a memory or condolence, please visit David's personal memory page at www.heritagelifestory.com.