Glenn Quist

Glenn Quist was a man who lived his life down to a science. He was a thoughtful, methodical man, careful and conscientious, humble and honest. He was a proud veteran, successful businessman, and a loving husband, father, grandfather, teacher and friend. Today Glenn’s lessons, and his life, lives on in all who knew him.

Glenn’s story began on a warm fall day in 1918, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were times of trial and triumph, which saw the end of World War I. On September 26, 1918, John and Margaret (VanderZand) Quist celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Glenn.

Glenn was the middle of seven children in the family’s Grand Rapids home, and he and siblings were raised in the Netherlands Reformed Church, where Glenn would be a lifelong member. When Glenn was a little older, the family moved to Holland, where Glenn finished school at Holland High. Diploma in hand, Glenn attended Hope College for a time, and later the University of Tennessee.

There he went on a blind date with a beautiful young woman named Louise Clark, and the sparks flew between them. They were married in Arkansas on June 20, 1942, and after Glenn graduated, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where Glenn worked in research at a bakery.

Glenn eventually entered the U.S. Navy as an officer, serving aboard an LST-500 during the end of World War II.

After his duty was completed, he and Louise moved to Holland, Michigan, where he started a research company with his brother and a friend. Eventually he went to work for Grand Rapids Brass, before going into business for himself. He later worked as a chemist at Applied Arts, Haveland Products, and in the plating business, in addition to selling real estate for a time, too. After many years, Glenn found a home teaching Chemistry at Grand Rapids Junior College, where he remained for 25 years until retirement.

Glenn’s personal life was even more rewarding, however. He and Louise were blessed with six wonderful children over the years, 19 grandchildren, and even 14 great-grandchildren, all of whom made him so happy and proud.

In 2004, his health beginning to decline, Glenn and his beloved Louise left their home on Grand Rapids’ northeast side, and moving into Holland Home. He remained there the rest of his days, until he sadly passed away on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, at the age of 89.

Glenn was a wonderful man, a thoughtful, methodical man, who designed his life around the two most important things, his family and his faith. He will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his grandsons Phillip L. Quist and Jonathan R. Bouma. Surviving are his wife, of 66 years, Louise, his children: Lynn Quist, Kim and Sandra Quist, Phil and Nickie Quist, Leah and Richard Bouma, Tom and Barb Quist, Amy and Rev. Rick Christy; 19 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren; his sisters and brother-in-law: Mary Jane Hossink, Laurena and Orie VanderBoon, his sisters-in-law Frances Quist and Hazel Quist and nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday at 10 A.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard N.W. with Dr. Joel R. Beeke of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Church officiating. Interment will be in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Faith Hospice would be appreciated. Mr. Quist reposes at the funeral home where relatives and friends may meet his family Thursday from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. To share a memory or sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com