Glenn J. VanWoerkom

Glenn Van Woerkom was a big man with a gentle heart. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and drag racing. Among his family and friends, he was known for his compassion and generosity. Glenn deeply treasured his family, and he was the happiest in their warm company.

Following the end of the Second World War, thousands of young soldiers returned to their civilian lives back home. They started families of their own and the Baby Boom was soon underway. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, Glenn E. Van Woerkom and his wife Dorothy Drenth were among the many expecting parents. On February 10, 1947 they were blessed with the healthy birth of their son Glenn Jay.

The Van Woerkom family lived in Grand Rapids on Woodrow N.W. They belonged to Highland Hills Baptist Church, where Glenn was an active participant in Sunday School and various youth groups. As his mother remembers, "Glenn was a very committed Christian and a good Baptist boy." He attended West Leonard School, located just around the corner from the family house. He was an active boy who enjoyed sports and the outdoors. He was also a talented young musician. At Union High School he played the cello in the school band and orchestra. "Onward Christian Soldiers" was one of his favorite hymns to play, and in his later years he would continue to hum its melody. At Union High Glenn earned varsity letters in football and wrestling. He suffered from knee injuries that would plague him for many years and ultimately require surgery. This prevented him from realizing his dream of becoming a high school coach.

In his early childhood, Glenn developed a love for fishing that would last his entire life. His parents were avid fishermen, and they enjoyed teaching the tricks of the trade. They fished on many of the inland lakes that surround Grand Rapids, and in the summertime they rented a cottage on Big Star Lake. Glenn's aunt had a cottage there also, and he enjoyed spending time with his cousins. When they were still young, they were allowed to fish from a boat tied to the dock by a long rope. They caught many fish, but they could only keep the ones that were large enough.

As Glenn grew up, he became more interested in fishing and other outdoor activities, such as deer hunting. Though he mostly fished in Michigan, he occasionally traveled as far as Canada. Wherever he went, he always drove his motorhome. Glenn entered several fishing contests and frequently won money and prizes. His biggest prize was a brand new fishing boat. In addition to participating in contests, Glenn also helped organize and promote them. He specialized in bass, and he was a purist when it came to technique.

Glenn began his career at Clark Equipment, where he worked as a supervisor. When this business closed, he purchased the Tigers Sport Shop on Walker N.W. After seven years he sold the business and began working for Camp and Cruise in Marne, where he sold boats and sporting equipment. Most recently he worked for Sports Specialist. This was the ideal job. He sold fishing equipment, and he was allowed to test the products first. Glenn went on sales trips throughout Michigan, and he especially enjoyed traveling to the Upper Peninsula. He was sometimes gone for weeks at a time.

Glenn owned a house on Big Pine Lake. He fished during the summer and went snowmobiling in the winter. He owned more than one snowmobile, which he shared with friends and family. Glenn had a passion for racing, and it was always a contest to see who had the biggest and fastest snowmobile. He also enjoyed drag racing. He owned a Dodge Charger named "My Illusive Dream," with which he competed at the Martin 131 Dragway.

In addition to fishing, hunting, and racing, Glenn also enjoyed playing golf and bowling with his cousins. He was a collector who would hold on to just about anything. His manifold collections filled several storage sheds. If Glenn found something that he liked, he would try to collect the entire set. He believed that these collections would appreciate in value over the years.

After Glenn's father passed away, he moved to the Woodrow house where he lived with his mother. He and his mom took care of each other. Glenn maintained the yard and dealt with all the household chores. He was also a good neighbor who often shoveled the snow for others.

Glenn was a kind-hearted man who earned the respect of his family, friends, and neighbors. Among the many people whose hearts he touched, he will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.

Glenn died on Thursday, February 1, 2007. He was preceded in death by his father Glenn E. Van Woerkom and his aunt Jennie Bruining. Surviving are his mother Dorothy Van Woerkom, his uncle Paul Bruining, cousins: Paul Wayne and Barb Bruining, Rick and Helayne Tichelaar, and many dear cousins who will miss him very much. Funeral and committal services will be held Tuesday at 1 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr N.W. with his pastor Rev. David Lamb officiating. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Highland Hills Baptist Church Building Fund would be appreciated. Glenn reposes at the funeral home where relatives and friends may meet his family Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. Please visit Glenn's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a favorite memory, upload a picture, or sign the online register book.