Jane Boerkoel

Jane Boerkoel was loved abundantly and cherished in the hearts of many. A gentle woman who found joy and contentment in her strong faith, she was a beloved wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and dedicated teacher. Life held many blessings for Jane, and she was thankful for much. A gentle woman of grace whose inviting spirit of kindness and goodness will be long remembered, she will be dearly missed.

It was into the community of Sheboygan, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan that Peter and Jennie (Vande Repe) Dekker welcomed the blessed birth of their second daughter, Jane Helen, into their hearts on September 3, 1921. Jane enjoyed a typical childhood for the times, growing up with her older sister, Kathryn, and younger siblings Peter, Lillian, and Mary Ann. They spent wonderful times making countless memories ice skating in the park and swimming at Lake Michigan. An outgoing and friendly girl, Jane experienced hours of adventure with her many friends. Having lived close to her grandmother, she loved visiting her grandma and delighting her sweet tooth with her grandma's delicious chocolate chip cookies. Jane loved her father's poetry writing which she found inspiring. She played the accordion, and often accompanied her father, a man of faith who loved sharing the gospel, when he spoke at the area jails.

Jane attended and graduated from Sheboygan Christian Schools before moving to Grand Rapids, Michigan to attend Calvin College. Upon receiving news that her mother had tragically passed away, Jane headed home to help her family and take care of household matters. After a time, she returned to Grand Rapids, and earned money for tuition working as a secretary at Associated Truck Lines.

Jane eventually returned to Calvin and began teaching at Baxter Christian School during her junior year while also earning her teaching degree. She sang in the Back to God Hour radio choir, where she met a handsome young man who captured her heart. Benjamin "Ben" Boerkoel attended seminary at Calvin, and they soon began dating. She went on to earn her bachelor's degree in education, and following a year and a half courtship, the two were married on August 14, 1952.

In 1956, they moved to Sully, Iowa where Ben served his internship. They then took a pastorate at a church in Alberta, Canada before heading to a church in Randolph, Wisconsin. Always the dutiful wife, Jane took care of the children and helped her husband with their many church responsibilities. They returned once again to the Grand Rapids area in 1963 where their family grew to include six children. Jane loved every aspect of being a mother. She made a good home for Ben and the kids, all while continuing to substitute teach at various local schools.

It was important for Jane to keep things running smoothly on the home front. Driven to provide a stable environment for her family, she kept their home meticulously clean and made good, simple Dutch meals. Each morning she served oatmeal for the kids, except for an occasional Sunday treat of cinnamon rolls. She had a continued love for sweets and rarely turned away dessert. As a family they always had the love of a dog in their home, and over the years they they passed the loving names of Puppy Love, Lassie, or Benji from one dog to the next.

Jane was not only a wonderful teacher, but also a wonderful mother. Teaching was her profession, but it was her in her nature, too. She raised her children with that passion as she lovingly supported them with encouragement and taught them well in many areas of their lives. She ran her home on a schedule and was the foundation on which they relied. They depended on her as she kept her family grounded and close.

Along with raising her family, Jane was also driven to take evening classes at Calvin towards her master's degree. She often took the bus and walked when necessary. Before long she was teaching full time at Kent Hills Public School, teaching third and fourth grades for the next 17 years before retiring, after which she continued to substitute teach for several years. With all her responsibilities, spare time was little but she did enjoy reading, needlepoint, and sewing, including making the girls matching dresses when they were young. A longtime member of Westview Christian Reformed Church, Jane was active in the Women’s Guild.

Although she didn’t get back to Wisconsin often, she loved keeping in contact with family through letters. Once retired, she and Ben enjoyed several memorable cruises and loved spending more time with their grandchildren. The teacher always shown bright with Jane, and even when caring for grandchildren, she made sure their time was filled with lessons, crafts, recess and reading time. She was very accepting of everyone who came into her family, and she lovingly welcomed all into her heart and home.

Age was kind to Jane. She looked and acted younger with a vibrancy all her own. She was outgoing, and her genuine, sweet spirit was evident in all she did. Never one to complain, she often diverted conversations away from herself as she was more interested in the well being of others. With the spirit of grace, she humbly placed the needs of others before her own. In time, as her mind clouded and her husband's health deteriorated, they moved to Villa Maria where Ben passed away on November 1, 2009. With nothing less than her steadfast faith, she carried on with support and love from family. She moved to Fulton Manor where her inviting nature was welcomed. A friend to many, she could begin a conversation with anyone.

Faith remained the constant foundation of Jane's life. She liked keeping her understanding of faith simple and never had the need for long, theological discussions. She was certain of her beliefs and where she was going, and it showed in her quiet strength and unwavering faith. Jane mothered with joy as she brought peace and goodness to the lives of her family. A wonderful example of all a good Christian wife and mother should be, her unending faith was exemplified in the fruits of the Spirit where her humble actions spoke volumes. She expelled warmth and care to everyone she came in contact with and leaves a loving legacy that will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

At the age of 90, Mrs. Jane Helen (Dekker) Boerkoel, of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, November 28, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband Benjamin J. Boerkoel, Sr. She is survived by her children: Ben Boerkoel, Jr. and Dan Kantorowski, Alice (AJ) and Dave Furniss, Jim and Lyn Boerkoel, Dave and Debbie Boerkoel, Faith and Vince Regan, Grace Van Haitsma; 21 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; sisters/brothers-in-law Kathryn Otte, Lillian and Robert Walvoort, Mary Ann and Warren Prinsen; sisters-in-law Lillian Dekker and Beatrice Elling; and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents, James and Jennie Dekker, stepmother Ann Dekker, brother Peter Dekker, brothers-in-law Henry Otte, Calvin Boerkoel and William Elling, and parents-in-law Abraham and Alice Boerkoel. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 1, 2011, 10:00 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home–Van’t Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW with Rev. Harvey Kiekover officiating. Friends are invited to visit with her family on Wednesday from 6-9 PM and Thursday from 9:00 AM until the time of the service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Student Advancement Foundation of Grand Rapids are appreciated. (111 Library NE, Grand Rapids MI 49503). To read more about Jane’s life, share a favorite memory, submit a photo and to sign her online guest book, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.