Dorothy "Dot" Vander Jagt

Dorothy “Dot” Vander Jagt was a loving, thoughtful and devoted wife, mother and grandmother. With an endless supply of energy, she kept her home neat and orderly, nurtured her only daughter and spoiled her grandchildren with love. Family was always first in her heart. Warm and compassionate, Dot made everyone feel special and left her mark in the hearts of all those she came in contact with.

The Roaring 20s were a fantastic period in our nation’s history, when the sounds of progress could be heard in every village and city across America. It was the birthplace of jazz, the golden age of industry and above all, a time of plenty. In Marne, Michigan, Peter and Gertrude (Ringelberg) Holleman had much to celebrate as they delighted in welcoming the birth of their beautiful daughter, Dorothy Louise, on November 15, 1926.

The fourth of five children, Dot, as she was called, grew up in a close-knit family in Marne. In fact, most of the extended family lived on the same road, which meant lots of cousins for playmates. Like her mother, Dot was always so bubbly and full of energy as a child, which on occasion got her into some mischief too. At some point, Dot’s family moved to Grand Rapids, and it was here that she completed her education, graduating from Union High School in 1944. Dot had all the great skills of a secretary, and after high school, she put them to good use working at various companies over the years.

The Holleman family were members of the Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church and it was here that Dot met her handsome husband-to-be, Peter Vander Jagt. He had just returned home from the military, and it wasn’t long before the two started dating. Hopelessly in love, Dot and Peter were happily married on October 21, 1947. The newlyweds made their first home together on 11th Street, but keeping up with tradition, they eventually moved to a home on Myrtle Street, where both of their parents lived just a few short blocks apart from each other. It wasn’t long before the couple filled their heart and home with the joy and laughter of their wonderful daughter, Linda. Dot stayed home when Linda was born, wanting to dedicate her time to raising her well. Caring and attentive, Dot took a very active role in every phase of Linda’s life. From being a room mother and Calvinette leader in church to taking part in 4-H, Dot’s passion was to support her family.

Dot and Peter had a wonderful marriage – and were quite a team. With her spunky personality and his easygoing nature, they got along fabulously and never fought. Peter said, “They had a marvelous life together.” The couple had many friends they enjoyed getting together with, especially to play golf. They were both avid golfers and belonged to Western Greens. Along with friends, the couple also enjoyed traveling all over the U.S., playing golf at many beautiful courses. Later on, after Linda was older and they were retired, Dot and Peter began traveling more often, most of the time to golf. At home, Dot loved to entertain and her cooking was enjoyed by everyone, especially her meat and potato dishes. Her effervescent personality and great sense of humor made everyone feel warm and right at home.

After Linda was out of school, Dot went back to work for several years at the Calder Plaza Building as a secretary to the Manager. She “retired” several times from this job before officially retiring. The family had spent many summers renting a cottage on Big Star Lake, and they loved it so much they eventually bought their own cottage. They spent many more amazing summers at their cottage with their family and grandchildren.

Dot wasn’t one to be idle and just enjoyed being active in many things. She volunteered countless hours with the Michigan Blood Center, but also liked working in her yard and house, and going out for coffee with friends. Whenever she could steal a quiet moment, she loved to read. Her greatest passion, however, was her grandchildren – she adored them and showered them with her love and attention. It was said that her grandchildren didn’t know the word “Friday” because the day that followed Thursday was “Grams Day”; a day she took them to do something with her, which was always special. As they got older, Grams would pick them up from school and head out to the cottage for some more special time together. Like her own daughter, Dot took an active role in every phase of her grandkid’s lives, attending sports events and school activities, and cherishing every moment she spent with them. Church was also very important to Dot and she was a faithful member of the Richmond Reformed Church since 1971. She enjoyed attending many of the church’s functions and volunteered with several committees. Dot’s strong faith was always evident in her life, through her words and her deeds.

Dot began showing signs of Alzheimer’s a couple of years ago, and her beloved husband Peter tenderly cared for her at home until just recently when she was moved to Stonebridge Manor. It was here that she passed away on Sunday, August 30, 2009, at the age of 82.

Although Dot will be deeply missed, her legacy of love and dedication leaves her loved ones with wonderful memories and a strong foundation to look to for comfort.

Dot was preceded in death by her brother, Peter Holleman. She is survived by her husband, Peter; her daughter, Linda (Kym) Smith; grandchildren: Brian DeVries, Sara (Paul) Huesdash, Amy DeVries; siblings: Marian (Albert) Hoogewind, Margaret Bovenkamp, Garrett (Marcia) Holleman; and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, at 1 p.m. at Richmond Reformed Church, 1814 Walker Ave NW, Grand Rapids. Relatives and friends may visit with Dot’s family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van’t Hof Chapel on Tuesday, September 1, from 7-9 p.m. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to either Spectrum Health Hospice or the Alzheimer’s Association. Please visit Dot’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.