Marian Veenboer

A warm and loving presence in the lives of all who knew her, Marian Veenboer was beautiful on the inside and out. She was a faith-filled woman whose life exemplifies what it means to be a woman after God’s own heart. Someone who was content in all things, Marian didn’t need a lot of frills and thrills in her life, but was more than happy with the simple things that are so easily overlooked. Marian was always searching for ways to brighten the days of those around her whether in ways great or small. The memories she leaves behind will be a constant blessing in the hearts and lives of her friends and loved ones.

The decade of the 1920s was a vibrant time in America. Innovation took us soaring in the clouds with Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart and with more affordable automobiles thanks to the assembly line, more people were able to get where they had always wanted to go. This was the decade that saw dance crazes such as the Charleston, cosmetics available for women for the first time, and speakeasies and bootleg whiskey that were commonplace from coast to coast. It was during this colorful time that a young couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was overjoyed to announce the birth of their first child, a daughter, on July 3, 1920. Marian was welcomed into the arms of her loving parents, Gerrit and Elizabeth (Hoolsema) Veenboer, and was the oldest of five children in her family including her sisters, Kathleen and Anne, and her brothers, John and Melvin. She lived her entire life on the city’s west side, with many years being spent on Tamarack Street.

Tragedy struck early in Marian’s life with the death of her father when she was just ten years old. This left her mother alone to raise her five children, the youngest of whom was only one year old. From that point on, Marian was an integral part of making the Veenboer household run as her mother worked any job she could find. These were the years of the Great Depression when the unemployment rate reached over 25 percent. Marian did whatever was needed including tending to the household chores and caring for her younger siblings. She began making her famous cinnamon rolls when she was just eleven years old.

For her education Marian attended local schools including Pine Avenue Christian School. During a time when young people often left school before completing their formal education, Marian was able to graduate.

Throughout her life, the relationship Marian shared with her mother was a cornerstone. She credits her mother with passing on countless words of advice that served her well through the years. Marian greatly admired her mother and enjoyed living with her. She said, “My mother was dynamic, I loved spending time with her.” Eventually Marian moved with her mother to a home on Hillcrest Street.

Marian’s years in the workplace found her in the customer service industry at a couple of different places. She worked in the yard goods area at Steketee’s for 21 years, and this was work that Marian thoroughly enjoyed. From there she went to work as a cashier at Michigan Consolidated Gas where she remained for 21 years until she retired. No matter where she worked, Marian usually got there by taking the bus.

It was clear to see by the way Marian lived her life that her faith was her constant companion. She was a member of Alpine Christian Reformed Church for several years and later joined West Leonard Christian Reformed Church. Marian taught Sunday school for a number of years and obviously made an impact in the lives of young people through her efforts since she still receives a Christmas card from one particular student even though it was over 50 years ago that Marian was her teacher.

Later in life Marian continued to spread her joy to those around her. She was deeply saddened with the death of her mother, but drew strength from both her faith and her family during the days, weeks, and months that followed. With a desire to live in a smaller place, Marian moved to an apartment for a few years. As her own mobility decreased, she moved to the Christian Rest Home in 1991. She lived there for nearly 20 years, and she fit right in to her surroundings there, too. Marian enjoyed meeting new people there and formed special relationships with other residents as well. Although she had always enjoyed writing poetry, Marian did more of it once she moved to the rest home. In fact, some of her poems were even published in their monthly newsletter. She also kept busy knitting, mainly sweaters and mittens, and she also liked to read. During the past five years Marian developed a close relationship with a friend whom she read the Bible and prayed with on a daily basis.

Marian Veenboer will be remembered for her happy and bubbly demeanor, her heartfelt poems penned in her beautiful handwriting, and her cheery laugh, but it will be her tender heart that will be missed most dearly. She was a trusted and loyal friend who knew that true joy is not found in what we have, but in the love we share with those around us. Although she is no longer here with us, we find comfort in knowing she has been reunited with those who have gone before her and is enjoying perfect peace in her eternal home.

Marian E. Veenboer of Grand Rapids died on June 1, 2011. Marian’s family includes her brothers and sisters-in-law, John (Bernice) Veenboer, Melvin (Lou) Veenboer; her sister, Anne Offringa; and several nieces and nephews. Marian was preceded in death by her parents, Gerrit and Elizabeth Veenboer; and by her sister, Kathleen Buurma. The funeral service to celebrate her life will be held on Tuesday, June 7 at 2 p.m. at the Christian Rest Home (in the multipurpose room on the lower level) where friends may visit with the family from 1-2 p.m. Memorial contributions to the Christian Rest Home Foundation are appreciated. To read more about Marian’s life, to share a favorite memory or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com.