Lois Henry

Lois Henry was a remarkable woman, a woman of such great strength and incredible support to the family she loved more than anything. She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother, who devoted each day to her family, her faith, and the many friends she made over the years.

Lois' story began on a cool fall day in 1926, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. On October 9, 1926, Maynard and Agatha (Schipper) Vander Zaag had even more to celebrate, with the birth of a baby girl they named Lois.

The Vander Zaag's lived on the city's south side, where Lois went to elementary school and later graduated from high school. One day she went to a school sporting event, as her high school's team was playing its crosstown rivals. There she met one of the opposing students, a handsome young man named Albert Henry, and the two hit it off!

Lois and Albert soon began dating, and kept in contact while he was fighting in World War II. When he was discharged from the service, the young couple was quickly married. The newlyweds moved to East Lansing while Albert went to school, while Lois helped support her husband financially and academically, too.

When he graduated, they moved back to Grand Rapids' south side, and later Wyoming. The wife and husband soon became mother and father, as well, with four fine sons filling out their family over the years: Chuck, Tom, Ron, and Bob. They were very active as a family at the Wesley Park United Methodist Church for many, many years, which Lois loved so much.

Lois was the perfect wife and mother, so supportive of all their wants and needs. She didn't care for sports, but attended all the boys' events growing up. She also supported her sons when they went in the service, and would put a star in the window when one of them was overseas. At times there were two stars in Lois' window.

She also didn't care to travel that often, but always went along with her husband and kids on their vacations around the country over the years, thinking it was important for the boys to see different places. When she and Albert retired, they traveled even more, to Hawaii, and wintered in Florida. Lois preferred to stay home near her family, but always supported her husband.

In the early 1990s, Albert was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, and Lois lovingly cared for him, attending to his every need until he died in 2000. She was always so strong, so supportive, and remained very independent.

Sadly, Lois died Monday, February 26, 2007, after complications from surgery, at the age of 80.

Lois was a remarkable woman, a woman of such great strength, and incredible support. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend, and a woman who taught us about selflessness, sacrifice, and love. She will be greatly missed.

She was preceded in death by her husband Albert Henry. Surviving are her sons and daughter-in-laws: Chuck and Vicki Henry, Tom Henry, Ron and Carla Henry, Bob and Shelly Henry, 8 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, her brother and sister-in-law Robert and Glenda VanderZaag, her sister and brother-in-law Nancy and Art Brosseit and nieces and nephews. Mrs. Henry was a long time member of the Wesley Park United Methodist Church. A remembrance gathering will be held at Wesley Park United Methodist Church, 1150 32nd St., Wyoming, MI, on Saturday, April 7, 2007 from 1-4 PM with a luncheon being served at 1PM. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans would be appreciated. To read more of her life, share a memory or photograph or sign the online register book, please visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com