Irene Grace Hart

Irene Hart was a woman who lived a life of selfless service to those around her as an outpouring of her heart that beat to love her Lord and Savior.

It was during the trying time of the Great Depression that Gerret and Tina (Ritsema) Vegter were pleased to welcome a healthy baby girl into their lives on August 9, 1931. Irene Grace was born in Chicago, Illinois, but was raised in Zutphen, Michigan, where her father purchased a farm. She attended local schools through the eighth grade as she was needed at home. The Vegter family was members of Zutphen Christian Reformed Church where Irene was actively involved.

As a young woman Irene enrolled in a local beautician school where she learned the skills she practiced throughout her entire life. When her education was complete she began doing hair at home.

She met a man named Gordon Hart. The couple married during a memorable blinding snowstorm on December 1, 1949, at her home church. They lived in an apartment above Gordon’s parents home in Allendale during the first two years of their marriage. While there they were blessed with the births of their first two children, Diane and Garry. At that time they found a home on Knapp Street, NE in Grand Rapids where they welcomed their daughter, Pattie. This was the place Irene called home for most of her life.

Until just a couple of days before her death Irene worked as a hairdresser out of the shop they put in their home. Several of her clients were friends from church and the neighborhood. Irene’s work allowed her to provide her children with a Christian school education. The family was members of the Bethel Reformed Church where she was an active part of worship services and the vacation Bible school program. Her coffeepot was always on for those who stopped by and she LOVED to bake her famous "Grandma Hart Cookies" for everyone. Irene loved gardening and the fruits of her labor.

Throughout her life Irene felt called to share the love of Jesus Christ with children. She was part of a group through church that went to Palmer Elementary School to hold a weekly Bible class for the children. It was here that she developed a strong relationship with Jeannie, who became like a daughter to her.

Irene was fully devoted to both her faith and her family. She paused with Gordon each day to cover each family member in prayer.

We will remember Irene Hart as a loving wife, mother, and grandmother who was a faithful woman of God and a tireless prayer warrior. She will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Mrs. Irene Grace Hart, aged 80 of Grand Rapids passed away Saturday May 5, 2012. She is survived by her husband Gordon Hart, her children: Diane and Rev. Dave Reck, Garry and Marcia Hart, Pattie and Doug Gaddy, Jeannie and Bill Wiarda: her 12 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, her brother George (Sue) Vegter, her sisters: Grace DeVree, Henrietta (Cliff) Prins, Alice (Ken) Belknap-Van Dreumel, her brother-in-law Jerry DeLoof, her sister-in-law Phyllis Hart and nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Wednesday at 1 P.M. at the Providence Reformed Church, formerly Bethel Reformed Church, 1700 Coit N.E. with Elder Walter Rozeboom officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family Tuesday from and 6-9 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard St. N.W. and on Wednesday at the church from 12 noon until the time of the funeral service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Grand Valley would be appreciated. To read more of Irene’s life, share a memory or sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com.