Fred LaHuis

With a warm smile and a welcoming heart, Fred LaHuis lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Quiet and thoughtful, Fred was incredibly kind, generous, and funny. His honesty, reliability, and hospitality earned him the respect of all who were lucky to spend time with him. Described by those who knew him best as a saint, Fred embodied the principles of his faith, welcoming each moment as a gift and every person as a friend. A loving and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, Fred’s steadfast faith, hope, and love will long live in the hearts and lives of those he so dearly loved.

Despite the obvious gloom of the Great Depression,1930 beheld a power of hope that undulated in the hearts of many. With a natural drive to not just endure but thrive in the face of uncertainty, the nation continued to put one foot in front of the other to build a better future. Nowhere was there a greater sense of hope than in the hearts of Roy Herman and Hattie Quintina (Nies) LaHuis as they welcomed their son Fred on January 28 at home in Hudsonville, Michigan.

The oldest of five, Fred was a wonderful big brother to his four sisters, Mary, Lois, Jean, and Ruth. His father worked as a farmer, while his mother worked as a teacher and homemaker. The family lived on a farm on Port Sheldon Rd, and Fred attended Alward Elementary School across the street from his house. As a child, Fred enjoyed playing in the creek near their home and playing softball, football, and basketball in school and with church leagues. Unfortunately, after being badly hurt while playing football, Fred had to have his mouth wired shut for several weeks. His father teased him for being so quiet.

Fred was always close with his sisters, and they became even closer when Fred got a car! He enjoyed bowling in church leagues and cheering on the Detroit Tigers and Lions. In celebration of his graduation from Hudsonville High School, Fred and his father went on a great trip to New York City before Fred began his service in the U.S. Army. For two years, during the Korean War, Fred proudly served stateside with the Military Police.

After completing his service with the Army, Fred safely returned to Grand Rapids. Good fortune blessed him when his sister set him up on a blind date with Mary Lou VanDyke. Their first date was attending the Easter Sunday service together at Bethany Reformed Church. Sharing a common faith, as well as many common interests, proved the firm foundation upon which they chose to build the rest of their lives. The happy couple joined in marriage on December 9, 1955, at the same church where they had their first date. Though Niagara Falls was their desired honeymoon destination, a Midwest snowstorm waylaid their plans, and they turned around near Cleveland, Ohio.

The newlyweds made their first home in an apartment on Hollister Street Southeast before moving to a home in Jenison. In 1960, they purchased their forever home on Janes Ave. in Grand Rapids, where they were blessed to raise their four children. Carol, Gary, Jenni, and Daniel were the centers of their worlds, and Fred and Mary Lou worked hard to provide them with a loving and supportive home. While Fred worked as a plumber, Mary Lou was a homemaker until the children were grown.

Fred and Mary Lou raised their children with the rich faith life they themselves had as children, becoming members of Bethany Reformed Church (the merger of Bethany Reformed and Fairview Reformed church became Orchard Hill Reformed Church) into their later years, where Fred served as an usher and deacon. A hands-on father, Fred was a fun, playful dad. Though he worked hard, he also understood the importance of play and time for leisure. The family enjoyed many memorable trips together, including a cross-country train trip to Seattle, Washington, to visit Fred’s sister and her family. For years, they traveled to Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula and took many camping trips. Most years, they also visited the ever-popular Cedar Point amusement park to explore the latest thrill rides.

Closer to home, Fred liked grilling, fish fries, steak dinners, and making big breakfasts for his family on the weekends. He also loved fishing and often took his boat on a trailer and fished in the inland lakes of West Michigan. His children loved going on these trips with him. While on their epic trip to Seattle, Fred had the pleasure of getting to go ocean fishing. In quiet times, Fred liked reading the newspaper, Readers Digest, and National Geographic and listening to old church gospel hymns on the radio station WFUR. Louis L’Amour’s Western novels were longtime favorites, too.

One of the greatest gifts Fred gave others was the example of his marriage to Mary Lou. Always leading with their faith, the couple lived by example, showing others how to nurture the gift of lifelong companionship. Not only did they raise their own children together, but they also chose to share their blessings by fostering many special children. For fifteen years, Fred and Mary Lou found great contentment in knowing they helped these children sow deep roots in the comforts of their good love and haven of hope.

When grandchildren arrived, Fred enthusiastically embraced his role as a grandfather. He was genuinely engaged with his grandkids. Whether cheering on their every endeavor, gathering to celebrate a special event, or feasting on one of Mary Lou’s legendary cakes or delicious pies together, Fred thoroughly enjoyed every moment they spent together. In 2018, shortly after Mary Lou died, Fred was invited to “Dream Flights,” an organization dedicated to honoring military veterans and seniors with the adventure of a lifetime: a flight in a Boeing Stearman biplane, an adventure his family will continue to share for many years.

Clearly, life feels far less certain in the absence of Fred’s unwavering companionship. As we celebrate is beautiful life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories and the honor of carrying his legacy forward. Whenever we choose faith over fear, hope over despair, lead with our hearts, and cherish the moment we have been given, we keep Fred’s spirit alive and inspiring others as he so inspired each of us.

Fred Lavern LaHuis, aged 94, of Grand Rapids, passed away on Monday, May 27, 2024, in the comfort of his home at Covenant Living of the Great Lakes. Fred was born in Georgetown Township, Michigan, in the winter of 1930 to the late Roy and Hattie LaHuis. Along with his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Mary Lou [VanDyke], as well as by his sisters, Mary Sikkema and Jean Curtis. Fred is survived by his children, Carol (Carl) Bos, Gary LaHuis, Jenni Grant LaHuis (Stuart) Biegler, Daniel LaHuis; grandchildren, Brian (Sarah) Bos, Michelle (TJ) Foote, David (Krystal) Bos, Scott (Sally) Bos, Nathan LaHuis, Christa Marie Kind, and 12 great-grandchildren; his sisters Lois Schut and Ruth Van Oss; many nieces, nephews and friends.

A service to celebrate Fred’s life will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 11:00 am at Orchard Hill Reformed Church (1465 Three Mile Rd. NW., Walker, MI 49544.) Friends and relatives may meet his family at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home (2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Grand Rapids, MI 49504) on Thursday, May 30, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, and again at the church on Friday from 10:00 am until the service begins at 11:00 am. Fred will be laid to rest next to Mary Lou in Georgetown Township Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Association of West Michigan (7311 Crystal View Drive SE, Caledonia, MI, 49316). To leave a memory or condolence, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.