Janice Goosen

Janice Goosen was known for her sincere generosity and for always putting others first. A beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, Janice would do anything to help others in need. She treasured the time she spent with her family and was immensely proud of each and every one of them. There is no doubt that she will be deeply missed by her many special friends and loved ones.

In the year 1943, the Pentagon, which is considered to be the world’s largest office building was completed while at the same time America was rationing canned meats, butter, and cheese, during challenging times. In the midst of WWII, Rex and Crystal Leone (Hampton) Walters welcomed home their newborn daughter, Janice Leone, on March 18th, in Hastings, Michigan. Born the oldest of four daughters, her birth brought much hope and happiness to the family home.

For a large majority of her growing years, the family lived on Lincoln Avenue in northwest Grand Rapids. Her father worked in a glass and mirror factory until later he left for a job with Steelcase, a growing furniture company. Her mother worked at the Civic Theater and Herpolsheimer’s department store. She and her sisters, Diane, Barb, and Nancy were very close. By 1957, the family had outgrown their home and moved to Standale. A memory of her growing years was living through the famous April tornado of 1956! As a family, they enjoyed many special holidays and trips to Grand Haven. Janice loved that her father would bring back beach sand for them to add to their sandbox at home! They also enjoyed drive-in movies and extended visits to her grandparent’s farm. Janice especially loved hanging out with her Uncle Pete who was near to her age and feeding corn to the pigs! She attended Stocking Elementary School and Union High School before spending one year at Grand Rapids Junior College.

Not to be forgotten was the meeting of George Goosen while she was working at the Lincoln Dairy Ice Cream Bar. Smitten from the start, they dated for a short time and joined in marriage at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on July 14, 1962. Niagara Falls was the perfect setting for their romantic honeymoon before settling in Standale. Together they raised five wonderful children; Greg, Gary, Pam, Brian, and Brenda. As a family, they enjoyed countless trips to the Croton Hardy Dam in their summer trailer. Any amount of time they were on the water, their hearts were content. One highlight of their vacations was a special trip out to Colorado to visit family. As a mother, Janice enjoyed being a stay-at-home mom. Later, she went to work at the Great Day grocery store where she was acknowledged in the Grand Rapids Newspaper for being the fastest cashier around! Her kids never doubted her love for them as she was there for their every success over the years. Throughout their lives, she modeled selfless patience and unconditional love.

Janice loved giving back to the community and was never one to remain idle. She was a proud member of a local group of performers called, The Old Kids of Coopersville. For many years, she enjoyed acting in the local theater and even joined a local school play with her grandchildren! When it came to entertainment, she liked music and movies! A big fan of Elvis Presley, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, and the Eagles, Janice loved to sing along to all of her favorite tunes. It’s a Wonderful Life and White Christmas were her favorite movies along with Dr. Zhivago. In recent years Janice loved exercising at the local Snap Fitness and also enjoyed swimming for the Seaville Swim Club in Coopersville. When it came to food, Janice never passed up her sweets! She also loved spaghetti and meatballs and chicken potpie. 4 J’s Pizzeria in Coopersville, knew her order before she even placed it and when it came to fresh produce, she loved stopping to see her friend Loretta at Fryear’s Little Red Market.

Above all else, Janice cherished her family and role as a grandmother. She was grateful for their love and enjoyed sharing special moments with them. A beautiful woman to know and to her love, Janice always wanted the best for her family. She would end most visits with her family by saying these words: "I thank God every night for my children, my grandchildren and my great-grandchild”. May the warm memories of the years they shared together endure in their hearts forevermore.

Janice Leone Goosen [Walters], age 79, of Ravenna, MI, passed away in the comfort of her home and in the company of her family on Saturday, March 26, 2022. She was born in Hastings, MI in the spring of 1943 to the late Rex and Crystal Walters. Along with her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, George Garret Goosen III who passed away in 2017. She is survived by her children, Greg (Debra) Goosen, Gary Goosen, Pamela (Scott) Wilson, Brian (Jennifer) Goosen, Brenda (Daniel) Theile; grandchildren, Gabe Goosen, Mickey (Karmen), Tiffany, Cody, Kaylee (Hugo), and Mandy Wilson, Spencer, Kyle, and Elizabeth Goosen, Alyssa, Sydney (Jarrett), and Chelsea Theile and great-grandchild Waylon; sisters, Diane (Bob) Hake, Barb (Dale) Plowman and Nancy (Mike) Davidson; many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A service to celebrate Janice’s life with Pastor Steve VanderWoude officiating will be held Saturday, April 2, 2022, at 11:00 am at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, (2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Grand Rapids, MI 49504). Janice will be laid to rest next to George in Rosedale Memorial Park. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Saturday from 10:00 am until the service begins at 11:00 am. To sign the online guestbook or to leave a memory, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.