Jean Hoogewind

Jean Hoogewind was a loving a devoted wife and mother. Sixty-two of her eighty-three years of life were spent with her beloved husband Albert.

Jean was the third of four children born to Nick and Grace (Vierson) Dantuma on March 29, 1923. She was born on the family farm in Zeeland, Michigan and shortly after her birth the family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Great Depression hit in 1929, so Jean's teenage years were tough. Her father provided for the family by operating a trash hauling business and the family stayed hopeful by being connected with their church. They faithfully attended Oakdale Park Christian Reformed Church. Jean's faith was always an important part of her life. She attended Oakdale Christian School and later Grand Rapids Christian High School. Her mother became ill and Jean stayed home on many occasions to care for her mom during her high school days. Despite it all, she stayed active in school and on top of her studies which allowed her to graduate with her class in 1941.

Sunday evenings teenagers from Jean's church would visit other Christian Reformed Churches to meet new friends. One evening when Jean and her girlfriend took a visit to Walker Christian Reformed Church Jean met a young farm boy named Albert Hoogewind. They began to date and he quickly became the love of her life.

Albert was born on a farm in New Era, Michigan to Lucas and Dena (Groenink) Hoogewind on January 31, 1919. He was the fifth of eight children in the family. They moved to the west side of Grand Rapids where Albert worked on the farm and attended school through the eighth grade. His energy and strength were needed full time on the family farm, but he still made time for socializing which was how he met his sweetheart, Jean. Jean's parents were concerned about her dating a farm boy, but as fate would have it, everything turned our alright. World War II started in 1939 and Albert went into the military. He successfully completed basic training but due to a childhood illness he was discharged. Albert and Jean married and on November 20, 1941. The marriage license stated that Jean worked as a brusher. During the war there were many factory jobs available to woman and this job consisted of removing the large celluloid sheets from the sheeting machines.

As a young couple, Jean and Albert found an apartment near the south side of Grand Rapids. Albert was not much of a city boy so they eventually moved to West Leonard where they quickly got involved at Walker Christian Reformed Church. As life progressed, so did the family. Baby Barbara died as an infant, but they raised Allen, Donald, Kenneth, Beverly, Randall and Roger in their loving Christian home. Later, Albert built a house on Maplerow and when the family outgrew that house he built a larger one on Kinney N.W.

While Jean worked hard to keep the home tidy, cook delicious meals and make clothes for everyone, Albert worked six days a week as a tool and die maker. Together they tended to their garden where there was always a bountiful harvest. Jean would also can the food and make sure the kids were involved in the garden. Sundays in the Hoogewind home were very traditional. They attended morning and evening services and rested in between. That was how it always was. There were fun family vacations spent in many Northern Michigan spots, places in the Upper Peninsula and in Canada. Even when they were on vacation they were sure to spend Sundays worshiping the Lord. Camping for the Hoogewinds went from plain old tent, to tent trailer, to travel trailer and in their retirement years they enjoyed the luxury of camping in a lovely motor home. What better to go with the camping experience then fishing. It was a family activity and although it didn't stick for all the kids, they all had many unforgettable memories. Albert's tinkering led him to create a couple helpful fishing inventions. He made a "gripper" used to hold a minnows while hooking them and the "power line" used in placing the bait for fishing. The Hoogewinds caught so much fish that many times they had fish for dinner every night of the week.

Albert also took time to go hunting with his friends and Jean supported him. They camped in a Tunken Bus, which was a chicken coop. Later they invested in a portable building that they would set up wherever they decided to have their "hunting camp."

After retirement, Jean and Albert preferred the comfort of their home, but they traveled with their friends to Arizona and Florida to stay warm during those cold Michigan winters. Jean and Albert loved being with family, playing cards and visiting. Eventually, they were blessed with 21 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and they always made themselves available to them. They stayed active at church too. Over the years, Albert served as a deacon, helped in the building projects at church and the formation of the Walker Christian School. Jean preferred to serve in the back ground. She gladly taught sewing for the 4H club, helped with church projects, meals and in many other ways. Jean was truly a woman with a servant's heart.

In June of 2003, Albert went home to be with the Lord. Shortly thereafter, Jean fell and broke her leg, and eventually moved from their condo into Sunset Manor. She took time to make new friends, reconnect with old ones, play cards, games and visit. She had been a member of TOPS were she could maintain her weight and visit with the ladies which she always loved to do.

Jean joined her husband in heaven on November 4, 2006. She will be fondly remembered by her family as a devoted woman of God who loved her family and friends with a genuine heart.

Mrs. Jean Hoogewind, aged 83 of Grand Rapids went to be with the Lord Saturday November 4, 2006. She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Hoogewind and her infant daughter Barbara. Surviving are her children: Rev. Allen J. and Coral Hoogewind, Donald and Linda Hoogewind, Kenneth and Peggy Hoogewind, Beverly and Larry Koetje, Randall and Norma Hoogewind, Roger and Sandra Hoogewind, 21 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, her sister Alice Hulst, her brother-in-law and sisters-in-law James and Beatrice Hoogewind, Thelma Hoogewind and several nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate her life will be held Monday at 1:30 P.M. at Walker United Reformed Church, 1941 Randall N.W. Walker, with Rev. David Klumpenhower officiating. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Mrs. Hoogewind reposes at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van't Hof Chapel 851 Leonard N.W., where relatives and friends may meet her family Sunday from 6-9 P.M and Monday at Walker United Reformed Church from 12 noon until the time of the funeral service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to Faith Hospice would be appreciated. To share a memory, or to sign the on-line register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com.