Henriette Hofstra

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness...where words of scripture Heiny was reminded of often over the years. She was known for teaching all of her students to recite Psalm 100, and in return, they would retain the scripture in their hearts and recite it back to her when they would cross her path as adults.

The beginning of the nineteen hundreds was a time full of excitement, new discoveries and adventure. Automobiles were being manufactured, roads were being paved and families were growing. October 7, 1906, in Sioux Center, Iowa, Rev. Meinard and Wilhelmina (Heynen) Vander Heide rejoiced over the birth of their precious daughter, Henriette. She was their first born child and they were thrilled to have her. As a teenager, Henriette earned the nick name Heiny and it stuck with her the rest of her life. She was blessed with a younger sister, Grada and twin brothers, Jack and Tony.

When Heiny was only eighteen years old, she lost her father. It was a painfully dark time for her, her mother and her three siblings. She knew God was with them and somehow carried them through.

Heiny felt called to be a teacher and took normal courses for teachers in Sioux Center. She later attended Calvin College where she completed her teaching degree and eagerly looked forward to begin her career. She began teaching at a Christian school in Highland, Indiana and then spent time teaching in Roseland, Chicago and Denver before settling into a position in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 1937. There she taught at the Baldwin Christian School.

In 1941, Heiny was being courted by John Hofstra. John was a wonderful Christian man who was working for the Young Calvinist Federation. Soon, they were married and hoping to begin a family. Heiny was happy to put her teaching career on hold while she and John raised their children, Henry, Fred and Marie. Heiny was deliberate in her child rearing and she devoted herself to instilling Christian values into her children. John's father built the home they settled in to and Heiny felt that the location was just perfect for them. She said everything was convenient. They could walk one block to the corner grocery store, two blocks to church, a few more blocks to school and not much further to get to the Leonard Street shopping district.

Heiny and John were long time members of the Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church which is now Westend Christian Reformed. They were both involved in church activities, singing in the choir and attending Sunday night Bible studies.

By the mid 1950's, Heiny was ready to return to work. She valued the many priceless memories she gained while teaching kindergarten at West Side Christian School. Over the years, Heiny would notice that the classroom sizes were getting much bigger and at one point she needed to divide her class into three groups. Looking back she was able to realize how right she was. The class sizes were growing and those students became known as the "baby boomers". Teaching was always a positive experience for Heiny. She loved meeting new people and interacting with other families. She met many fine families over the years that sent their children to West Side Christian School.

In 1970, Heiny retired and looked forward to spending time with John, traveling, being with their four delightful grandchildren and enjoying life at a slower pace. She and John had six years of traveling and treasuring their time as retirees before John passed away in 1976. Heiny continued to reside in their home until 1990 when she was one of the first residents to move into Edison Manor.

Spending time with her family was always a treat and Heiny looked forward to sitting and talking with those she loved. She spent her quiet time reading Christian books and corresponding with many friends and missionaries. Her letters were sent all over the world and with them she blessed many Christian brothers and sisters.

It is so hard to see a loved one leave this earth, yet it brings us comfort to know that Heiny was thankful for the full life God had blessed her with. She knew her place in God's plan and embraced it with her whole heart. Heiny is a beautiful example of a woman who lived a Godly life. She is an inspiration to us all and she will be truly missed.

Mrs. Henriette "Heiny" Hofstra, aged 99, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away on July 1, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband, John; and siblings, Jack Vander Heide and Grada Vander Heide. Heiny is survived by her children, Henry (Eileen) Hofstra, Fred Hofstra and special friend, Karen Vannette, and Marie (Gary) Vander Lugt; grand children, Brian (Kim) Hofstra, Lynnelle (Chris) Brinks, and Sara and Lori Ann Vander Lugt; and great-grandchildren, Lauren, Kayleigh, and Benjamin Hofstra and Audrey and Claudia Brinks. Also surviving are her brother, Tony ( Nancy ) Vander Heide; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The funeral service will be held at 2:00p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, 2006 at Westend Christian Reformed Church, 1015 Westend Ave N.W. Friends may meet her family on Monday from 7:00-9:00p.m. at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Van't Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. N.W., and on Wednesday from noon till the time of the service at church. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Contributions in her memory may be made to West Side Christian School or the Christian Rest Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read Heiny's complete Lifestory, archive a memory or sign the guestbook.