Marguerite De Man

The light of God may be seen in many different colors…it may come in any number of ways to your inner vision. But each time we see the light of God, it uplifts us spiritually. Marguerite K. De Man lived her life, guided and protected by this light. Devoted to her family and her faith, Marguerite had a deep understanding of the difficulties life could bring and wanted only the best for those she loved.

The world was in a state of upheaval in 1916. The United States had entered into World War I, marking the end of an era and changing the face of the world forever. In Grand Rapids, Michigan, most families were not affected by this “Great War”. They went about the business of working and raising their families. Such was the life of Henry and Anna (Putt) Bergmans. The Bergmans lived in Grand Rapids, where Henry worked as a meat man on the west side and Anna took care of their growing family. On October 23, 1916, Anna gave birth to their first daughter, Marguerite. With the later arrivals of Kathleen and Esther, the three girls were part of a large family, joining brothers John, Elmer, Frank, and Henry.

Marguerite attended Harrison Park as a young girl, and then went on to Union High School. However, by then the Depression had hit and large families especially were finding it hard to make ends meet. It was no different for the Bergmans. With the children growing up, Anna had gone to work and Marguerite quit high school to care for her younger siblings. It was a difficult time for everyone.

As a teenager, Marguerite began attending the Calvary Gospel Center. It provided an opportunity for meeting other young people through their young people’s programs. It also offered this young girl a new sense of comfort and spirituality. While attending one of the church’s programs, Marguerite met a young man named Jay De Man. With like interests, the two began dating. They enjoyed going to Grand Haven Beach together, and other outdoor activities. As their relationship blossomed, Marguerite’s mother told her that she knew Jay would be a good husband for her because of the way he treated his own mother. With the blessing of her parents, Marguerite and Jay were married on June 4, 1936 at the Gospel Center.

The newlyweds' first home was located on Burke St., NE and while they were on their honeymoon, they asked a friend to watch the place for them. The friend was true to his word, and would playfully sit on the front porch with a shotgun in his lap. Everything was just fine when they returned. After they were married, Jay and Marguerite bought a 1932 Roadster, a sporty car for the times. But Jay had a good job at Wolverine Brass, working in the stockroom. With his hard work, he eventually became Secretary-Treasurer of the Company. This enabled Marguerite to stay home and care for their family.

Their first child was born in 1941, daughter Dawn. In 1945 their son Sam was born and the new De Man family was complete. Marguerite loved being a mother and was always very involved in her children’s lives. Both Dawn and Sam have wonderful memories of growing up in a home filled with love. Most social activities revolved around their church, considered part of the De Man family. It was important to Marguerite that her children grow up with good Christian values. Saturday night was bath night, followed by a treat of ice cream. Sundays after church, the family would enjoy dinner, take a nap and then meet at Grandma’s house with other family members for a time of socialization. In the early 1950’s the family began vacationing at Glen Lake. Marguerite and Jay eventually bought land and built a home there. The family would spend all summer at the lake, swimming, boating and fishing. Marguerite loved to float in the water, and would often put her dogs, poodles Pixie and Cocoa, on the raft with her.

As busy as she was with family, Marguerite found time for her own personal interests. She was an excellent bowler and golfer, and had even hit a hole-in-one at the Grand Rapids Golf Club. A very competitive lady, Marguerite was good at most anything she tried. She was a charter member of Trinity Baptist Church, where she sang in the choir and was active in the ladies’ clubs. Jay and Marguerite loved to travel and took a cruise to Mexico. They had also visited parts of Europe and California.

Marguerite was an accomplished seamstress and made most of her casual clothes. She was particular about her appearance and wanted to be sure she always looked nice, especially when she was driving around in her white Eldorado Cadillac with the blue cloth top roof. Sadly, Jay passed away in 1979 after an illness. Marguerite was able to maintain her independence and continued to do her own yard work. She took great pleasure in working in her flower garden. She was an avid sports fan, for the Pistons and those “dumb” Tigers. She watched or listened to every game but never attended one in person.

Marguerite De Man enjoyed life and all it brought. Her life brought comfort and happiness to many. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Mrs. Marguerite K. De Man, aged 88, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 9, 2005. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Anna Bergmans. She was also preceded by her husband Jay Leo in 1979. Gone before her were brothers, John Bergmans and Elmer Bergmans. Surviving are her children, Dawn K. (John) Harrington, and Samuel J. (Carol) De Man; 5 grandchildren, Amy Bird, Julie and Jay Nelson, Christopher and Katrina De Man, Susan and Phil Huber, Steven and Christy De Man; and 13 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are her sisters, Kathleen J. Baczuk and Esther (Marvin) Maat; brothers, Frank Bergmans and Henry (Maxine) Bergmans; many nieces and nephews; and special neighbors and friends, Sharon Swingler and Kathy Buckley. Funeral and committal services will be held on Tuesday, April 12, 2005 at 11 A.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE. with Rev. David Somers officiating. Friends and relatives may meet her family at the funeral home on Monday from 2-4 P.M. and 7-9 P.M. Interment in Fairplains Cemetery. Please visit Marguerite’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory, sign the guest book and make a memorial contribution. Memorial contributions may be given to Trinity Baptist Church, 2050 Aberdeen NE, Grand Rapids, MI.