Dorothy Jean Stellard

Dorothy Jean Stellard was a woman who knew what was important in life - her family and friends. She was a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother, who was described as outgoing, fiercely independent, strong and compassionate. Dorothy lived a life that saw many changes in the world, but through them all she remained a woman with a strong sense of family, a love for her church and a deep faith in God.

As the United States was celebrating a time of temporary peace and prosperity between the two world wars, Peter and Ida (Huisheere) Voshol of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were celebrating the birth of their second daughter, Dorothy Jean, on December 9, 1924. Dorothy had an older sister, Eleanor June, who welcomed her baby sister into the family. Their father, Peter, was a furniture maker who was employed by Stow Davis Furniture Company. Their mother, Ida, remained home to care for her husband and lovely daughters.

When the girls were small, the family home was located on the west side of Grand Rapids, on Crosby and Alpine Street. The family later relocated to 1028 Arianna, N.W. and were members of the Seventh Reformed Church on N.W. Leonard Street. Since Dorothy's father did not drive a car, the family's travel was limited to how far they could walk. When they wanted to visit family in Plainwell, south of Grand Rapids, they would find a ride with other relatives or friends making the trip.

Dorothy had a childhood typical of children born in this era. They were provided with all the necessities of life, but the frills and frivolities were few and far between. Dorothy and her big sister attended Harrison Park Elementary School. Dorothy was described as outgoing and friendly and she made friends easily. When she graduated from Union High School in 1943, Dorothy's friends were by her side. She enjoyed and cherished a lifelong friendship with Evie, Mary Jean, Margie, Harriet and Gwen. The lifelong memories of times they'd spent together were always precious to Dorothy.

After graduation, Dorothy obtained a job as a bookkeeper with Household Finance Company, located in downtown Grand Rapids on Monroe Street. Shinners Meat Market was across the street from her office and Dorothy would often pick up a few items before returning home. On one of her many visits, she noticed and was noticed by Robert Stellard, a very handsome man and a fourth generation butcher. Dorothy and Robert became friends and began dating. Their friendship gradually grew into a relationship and both knew they wanted to spend their life together. Because of religious differences; Robert was Catholic and Dorothy was Christian Reformed, they dated for five years before marrying on January 19, 1950. The couple had a small wedding at the home the minister, with close friends and relatives in attendance. There was no honeymoon trip and the newlyweds settled into their apartment on Highland Street to begin their life together as man and wife. The couple eventually bought a family home at 227 Elm Street, S.W., where Dorothy lived until 1988.

Dorothy and Robert were blessed with four children; a son, Dennis, was born in June 1950; a daughter, Betty was born in May 1953; and twin girls, Ruth and Carol, were born on Dorothy's birthday in December 1956. Dorothy was a loving mother devoted to her children. She instilled strong family values in her children and raised them to be productive adults. The children all attended Buchanan Elementary School where Dorothy often volunteered and was President of the PTA. They continued their education and Burton Junior High School. Dennis graduated from South High School and the girls graduated from Central High School. Each summer, the family would spend a week at a cottage on Upper Lake in Cedar Springs where many wonderful family memories were made.

After the children were grown, Dorothy obtained a job cleaning offices at the company where Robert was working, Guardsman Chemicals. Dorothy remained an active member at the Seventh Reformed Church where she was involved with the choir. She loved singing at services each Sunday and made many friends at church activities. She had a great love for music, not only church hymns, but polkas, waltzes and many of the old favorites from her era.

In later years, Dorothy was active in the Golden Years Fellowship, seniors of Seventh Reformed Church. They took many trips to various places, including a trip to The Netherlands, which she fondly remembered. She also volunteered her time at the church library and the Christian Rest Home.

Dorothy's mother, Ida, died in May of 1953; her father, Peter, died in April of 1977.

Holidays were always special times in the Stellard household. Dorothy worked especially hard to make the Christmas holiday a happy time for the children, making each feel very special. She knitted hats and mittens for the Santa Claus girls. She also made hats and sweaters for all of her family and in later years, for her grandchildren.

Dorothy was a great cook and was famous for her traditional Dutch delicacies; Dutch Lettuce and Cod Fish being her favorites. Over the years, Dorothy also learned a few Polish dishes, Golubki, being one of them, (cabbage rolls) which the family feasted on. She also enjoyed making pies, cakes, cookies and many sweet treats for her family.

Another hobby of Dorothy's was collecting spoons from the many places she visited. She also received them as souvenirs and gifts from friends and relatives.

Over his lifetime, Robert had made many trips to the Emergency Room for treatment of asthma. On November 16, 1971, he made his last trip to the hospital as this asthma attack proved fatal for Robert. Dorothy was devastated over the loss of her beloved husband, friend and companion of twenty-two years. Her faith in God, her family and friends supported her through this difficult time.

Dorothy proved to be very resilient and after a grieving period obtained a job as a library assistant in Alexander Elementary School in the Grand Rapids Public School System. She was in this position for eighteen years before she retired.

In 1988, Dorothy sold the family home on Elm Street and moved into a condo at Leisure Acres. She made many new friends in her new home, as well as maintained her friendship with her lifelong friends. Because she no longer had to maintain a large home, Dorothy had more time to spend with her friends and family. Dorothy loved her roles as a grandmother and great grandmother. She looked forward to seeing her grandchildren and the times she shared with them always brought a sparkle to her eyes and a smile to her face.

In July of 2000, Dorothy was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Knowing she would need more extensive care than they could provide, her family moved her into Edison Manor of the Christian Rest Home. In April 2005, Dorothy was moved into the Christian Rest Home so she could receive more individual attention. She had many visitors during her stay at the Rest Home and as her condition weakened, the family kept a constant vigil at her bedside and was present when Dorothy died.

Dorothy will be lovingly remembered for her generous spirit, her strength of character and her unconditional love for her family. She will be deeply missed.

Dorothy Jean Stellard died on August 19, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband Robert in 1971. She is survived by her children, Dennis and Elaine Stellard, Betty and Merlin Balke, Ruth and Robert Jones, Carol and Gary Waldron; nine grandchildren, Bob Stellard, Brenda (Keith) Berg, Barbara (Aaron) TerBeek, Betsy (Tom) HeyBoer, Ryan Jones, Shawna Jones, Erika Balke, Rachel (Scott) Heighton, Jennifer Waldron; Six great grandchildren, Logan & Lucas TerBeek, Kendra Berg, Sydney Heyboer, Alexandra and Madison Waldron; her sister, Eleanor June Tromp, her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Jim and Gerry Stellard, Joan and John Kelly, Pat Suttorp; and many nieces, nephews and friends. Dorothy was a life member of Seventh Reformed Church where the funeral to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, August 23, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. with her pastor, Rev. Zachary Anderson officiating.. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery . Relatives and friends may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van't Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. NW on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. and on Monday evening from 6-9 p.m. Please visit Dorothy's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can share a personal memory, or make a memorial contribution. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions in her memory to Christian Rest Home, Hospice of Michigan or Alzheimers Association. Her family will be forever grateful for the loving care their mother received at the Christian Rest Home.