Marian Visser

Marian L. Visser was a compassionate and generous woman, purposefully looking for ways to ease pain and suffering and make the world a better place. To her, serving others was not just something she talked about; it was a way of life. She lived with no regrets, making the best of everything that came her way. She treasured her family and was committed to doing everything she could to support and encourage them.

In the winter of 1921, Martin and Thressa (Smith) Westerweel were expecting more than just the warmth of the coming spring. They were joyfully anticipating the birth of their first baby and were thrilled when little Marian finally arrived on March 21. The happy family made their home on the west side of Grand Rapids on Walker Avenue NW. Marian was later joined by two siblings and the trio filled the house with plenty of activity and laughter. She and her brother and sister attended Oakleigh Elementary School and then Union High School where Marian graduated with the class of 1939. The Westerweels were charter members of the Richmond Reformed Church and Marian considered herself blessed to contribute to that congregation throughout her lifetime. The lessons of faith and service that she learned at home and at church formed the foundation on which she built the rest of her life.

While Adolf Hitler was setting the stage for his invasion of Europe, Marian was a student Union High School. She graduated with the class of 1939, just a few short months before Hitler initiated World War II by invading Poland. The next several years found Marian praying fervently for the war's end and safety for friends and loved ones. As her congregation gathered one Sunday, a young man named Ed Visser visited their church. The moment he met Marian, he knew his life would never be the same. The two fell in love and were married on February 12, 1942.

After their wedding, Marian and Ed moved to Lansing where Ed found work as an electrician, but they missed being near friends and family. They soon returned to Grand Rapids to a home on Diamond NE where they were blessed with their first child, Ruth. They later moved to the west side of Grand Rapids to be closer to Marian's family, and their son Larry was born while they lived at the home on Annie NW. Marian loved being a mom and established a loving, safe place for her family.

Marian put her faith into action by serving not only her family, but her church and community as well. She taught Sunday School for years and sang in the choir faithfully. She participated in the women's guild and was an active member of their prayer group, realizing that God was the source of all things. She shared His love with those throughout their Grand Rapids community by delivering food to the elderly and needy. She and Ed also looked far beyond their own comfort zone by volunteering regularly with the CRWRC (Christian Reformed World Relief Committee), working with disaster relief efforts in several locations such as Florida, South Carolina, and Indiana, and were also faithful workers at International Aid, a relief agency that sends relief packages to disaster sites around the globe.

Marian and Ed enjoyed traveling together so much that they took their converted van all over the country, visiting every state in the Union with the exception of Hawaii. One trip to Florida was particularly memorable as circumstances required that they stay in the van for several weeks. The van seemed smaller and smaller as time went on and they were grateful to return home. They were appreciative of southern climates during the colder months and spent many winters in Florida, usually in the Clearwater area. While Larry was stationed in Germany with the Air Force, Marian and Ed were thrilled to be able to spend several weeks visiting him and touring the surrounding areas of Europe.

When grandchildren were added to the family, Marian was more than happy to take on the role of Grandma, treasuring every smile, hug, and giggle. She was involved and supportive in their lives, attending sporting events and making the time to get to know each one. Many happy hours were spent in her kitchen as she taught them how to cook and bake, showing them the secrets of her spectacular cream puffs and angel pie. Often they accompanied her and Ed on camping trips and each one knew how special they were to Grandma.

In 2004, Marian's health made it necessary for her to move from her home on Annie Street to a nursing home. As always, she was content with the circumstances God brought her way and lived her final days with gratitude for what she had. She leaves her loved ones with the example of a woman who put others first, enjoyed every day she was given, and lived out her faith. She will continue to inspire those who knew her for years to come.

Marian was called to her Heavenly Home on Friday, December 30, 2005. She was the love of her husband Ed's life to whom she was married for sixty-three years. She was a wonderful mom to Ruth and Jerry Thomas and Larry and Carol Visser, loving grandma to Christy and Joe Biermacher, Brian Visser, Robin and Jared Toldo, and Trevor Thomas, and great grandma to Grace, Ben, Gisele, Kaylee, Caroline, Frederick, Constance, and Christina. Also surviving are her siblings, Ruth Baar and Roger (Noreen) Westerweel, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Arelyne and John DeBoer, and several nieces and nephews who affectionately called her "Auntie Mar." She was reunited with her beloved grandson, Shaun, who preceded her in death in 1995.

The family will meet relatives and friends on Monday, January 2, from 2-4 p.m. and from 7-9 p.m. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel. A funeral service will be held Tuesday, January 3, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, with Rev. Gerald VanderVelde officiating. Interment will follow in Rosedale Memorial Park . Please visit Marion's personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory, sign the guest book, or make a memorial contribution to the Christian Rest Home.