Ethel Brunger

Ethel Mae Aldrink Brunger was born on a wintry Thanksgiving Day (November 27, 1924) on the Aldrink dairy farm in Allendale, Michigan to John and Anna Aldrink and was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ on October 29, 2025. She was one of eight children and grew up in an atmosphere of family fun with indoor and outdoor games, sledding in the winter, trips to the Grand Haven beach at Lake Michigan and picking fruit in the orchards of western Michigan in the summer.

Christian education was a major theme of Ethel’s life which was inspired by her father’s involvement as board member of the Allendale Christian School. She went to Grand Rapids Christian High School where she boarded with a family during the week. She obtained an associate teaching degree from Calvin College and served as an elementary school teacher in Christian Schools in Redlands, California and in Roseland, Chicago. Ethel married Peter Brunger, a commercial artist, in Chicago and enjoyed forty-four years together. After eventually moving to Grand Rapids, she served as an administrative secretary at Calvin Seminary for over twenty years, developing lifelong friendships with the faculty and staff. Wherever she lived, she was an active member of the local Christian Reformed Church and at her death was a member of La Grave Avenue Christian Reformed Church.

Ethel was preceded in death by her parents, John and Anna (Meyer) Aldrink; by her husband, Peter; and by her seven siblings and spouses: John (Kathryn Visser), Jacob (Janice Van Haitsma), Harry “Bob” (Beatrice Kok), Beatrice (William Idema), Irene (Chester Lautenbach), Esther Joyce (Philip Versluis) and Calvin (Diana Randall). She is survived by her two children and their spouses: Mark and Patty (O’Malley) of Richardson, Texas and Lynn Adele and Scott Voorman of Simi Valley, California; by four grandchildren, John Brunger (Pamela), Philip Brunger (Melissa), Matt Voorman (Anna) and Amy Broughton (Adam); by ten great grand-children; and by many nephews and nieces.

Ethel’s passing represents the end of a generation and the end of an era for the Aldrink family. Those of us fortunate to have known that generation have precious memories of family get togethers on July 4th and Labor Day at family cottages on Lake Michigan, Thanksgiving at Bob’s farm in Allendale and then at Cal’s home on the Grand River and Christmas at Bill and Bea’s house in East Grand Rapids. It was a time of wholesome family fun for everyone and where we developed an appreciation for our faith and our heritage. It is a fitting tribute to that generation’s love of family that the Nature Overlook in Grand Ravine Park, located on the former Grand River home of Calvin Aldrink, was dedicated to John and Anna Aldrink and their children, the last of whom, Ethel, has now departed from this earthy realm to enter heavenly glory.

There will be a graveside service at the Allendale Cemetery which will be held on Saturday, November 1 at 11 am, and everyone who is available is invited to join the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Holland Home-Raybrook Manor who provided living care for Ethel these last years.