Henry "Hank" Nyeholt

Henry "Hank" Nyeholt was a man who strived for perfection in all that he did, wisdom in all that he said, and for faith in each day that he lived. He was a man of tremendous spirituality, who lived his life in devotion to God, and in devotion to his family. "Work first, play later," was Hank's motto, just one of the countless lessons he taught in his time with us. Today his lessons, and his love, live on in all who knew him.

Henry's story began on a snowy December day in 1937, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, just before the calendar turned the page to the coming year. There was much to be celebrated in those days, as America and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt had begun to pull itself from the quagmire of the Great Depression, and before the clouds of war had reached our shores. On December 27, 1937, Bill and Helen (Kragt) Nyeholt celebrated one last, great gift that holiday season, a baby boy, a son they named Henry John.

Henry, or Hank, as he would be called, was the second child of four born to the Nyeholts, joining older brother Bill and younger siblings David and Ruth in their home, at 2253 Kinney NW in Grand Rapids. Hank attended West Side Christian School as a child, before going on to graduate from Grand Rapids Christian High School.

Fresh out of high school, Hank found a job at Wurzburg's Department Store, working in the shoe department. He enjoyed the job, and would stay there 10 years before moving on professionally. He found much more than a profession at Wurzburg's, however.

Hank had been dating a young girl, and one day she and her friend Char Noordyke got out of class early due to a tornado warning, and bee-lined it to Wurzburg's to see Hank. It was a mistake for the girl, who soon lost Hank to her beautiful friend Char! Hank and Char fell in love, dated a year and a half, and were married on November 10, 1961 at Walker United Reformed Church, the very first wedding in the new church.

The newlyweds began their life as husband and wife in a home at 2283 Kinney, next to his parents' house. Three years later, after their baby Todd made three in 1963, they moved to 315 James Street. They stayed there five years, living in the bottom and renting out the top, and celebrated the birth of Bryan there, in 1965. In 1969, Char then expecting their third child, they built a home at 4122 Six Mile Road NW, where they lived most of their lives. There they also rounded out their family with two daughters, Mari-Jo in 1970, and Chris-Ann in 1973.

Hank was an excellent father, who taught them to be fine people, and instilled his tremendous work ethic in his children. "Work first, play later," he told them repeatedly. Value hard work, and take pride in all that you do, he told them, just like he most certainly did.

Hank provided for his wonderful family with a great career working for Meijer's. He started there as a buyer, then became merchandise manager and finally Vice President of Softlines. He worked for Meijer's for 29 years, before retiring in February of 1997 at the age of 58, when he and Char sold their home and moved to Spring Lake.

Hank loved working for Meijer's, where he perfected the art of negotiation. His job was demanding, often requiring him to travel to Asia or elsewhere, yet it suited Hank and his "work first, play later," mentality perfectly.

Of course, Hank did "play later," too. He loved boating, particularly in his prized, 1979 Slickcraft, which the family took on long trips to places such as the quaint Dorr County, Wisconsin, or the ruggedly beautiful Isle Royale in Michigan. Hank loved cars, too, with his all-time favorite the 1960 Ford Skyliner, a black beauty he kept spotless, just like all his cars were.

Hank also enjoyed gardening, and whether it was his own yard and flowerbeds, his neighbor's, or his children's, Hank was always happy to be working outside.

Hank, once an accordion player as a young man, listened almost exclusively to gospel music in recent years. He also enjoyed real estate as a hobby, and owned a number of homes in Florida, one they lived in and others they rented, which Hank enjoyed taking care of. The stock market fascinated him, as well.

Hank and Char also enjoyed traveling together in retirement very much, and very often. They visited China, Hawaii, Europe, many Caribbean islands, took many car trips across the U.S., and went on several cruises, as well. When his children were young, they would pack up the car, pack the cooler full of cheese and bread for lunches (the way Hank liked it), and head off for parts unknown. In retirement, the trips became a bit more exotic.

Being the man of great faith that he was, Hank also loved performing missionary work, and in spreading the Gospel. He and Char did mission work in Mexico, and even Thailand, helped the Gideons place Bibles, and worked in the Immokalee Soup Kitchen in Florida twice a month when they were there. Hank and Char were active members of the Chapel by the Sea in Fort Myers Beach, where they spent October through April each year.

Of course, Hank was a man of God wherever he went, who wore his faith on his impeccably-dressed sleeves his entire life. He made a concerted effort to spread the Word, often on the long plane rides to Asia while on business. He faithfully passed out Bibles, and tried to equally balance the spiritual and secular aspects of his life. His greatest days were spent witnessing in Thailand, and he anxiously awaited their return trip there.

Hank was most certainly a man of great faith, but also showed great love for his family. He emphasized the importance of Christian education for his children and grandchildren. He adored his grandchildren and faithfully attended their activities, even recently attending a family trip to Cooperstown, New York to watch his grandson Spencer play in a national baseball tournament. He and his grandkids also shared a memorable trip to Michigan's Adventure in Muskegon in July.

Sadly, Hank died Friday, September 15, 2006, after a brief battle with leukemia. He was a remarkable man, a man of such great faith, great character, and great love for those around him. He worked hard, was willing to take risks and placed his trust in God. Hank was many things to many different people, but he made a difference in us all. He will be so greatly missed.

Mr. Henry J. "Hank" Nyeholt, age 68, of Spring Lake, passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Friday, September 15, 2006 after a brief battle with leukemia. He is survived by his wife, Char, children Todd and Dawn Nyeholt, Bryan and Carol Nyeholt, Mari-Jo and Rob Goebel, Chris-Ann and Darrell Martini; 8 grandchildren, Andrew, Brad, Whitney, Trevor and Brooklyn Nyeholt, Spencer and Sydney Goebel and Ashley Martini; his brothers and sister, Bill and Nancy Nyeholt, Dave and Sandy Nyeholt, Ruth and Jim Hasper; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Barb and Jim Rozelle, Kathy (Don-dec'd) Knott and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11AM at Walker United Reformed Church, 1941 Randall NW with Pastor Bill Rudd of Calvary Church of Fruitport officiating. Interment in Spring Lake Cemetery. Friends may meet the family at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW on Saturday from 7-9PM and on Sunday from 2-4 and 7-9PM. Memorial contributions may be made to the Gideons, PO Box 361, Grand Haven, MI 49417 or the Calvary Church of Fruitport Mission Fund, 5873 Kendra Dr., Fruitport, MI 49415. Please visit Hank's personal Memory Page, to leave a memory or sign the guestbook, by visiting www.lifestorynet.com.