Marie Dreyer

Marie Dreyer was a woman of deep conviction and firm determination. She knew her heart and spoke her mind in ways that were clear-cut and effectual. She got the job done, whether working on the line or tending her home. By her generosity and love, she cared for her family and friends with unwavering spirit.

Marie was born on January 18, 1923 in Herrenveen, Friesland, The Netherlands at a time when Europe was recovering from the first World War. Numerous families immigrated to North America in hopes of building a future for their children. One such family was Andrew and Nellie (Shrier) Vander Veen, who landed in New York when Marie was just six months old. They eventually settled in West Michigan where they raised their six daughters. Marie attended elementary school and Central High School in Grand Rapids, Michigan. As a young woman, Marie took on responsibilities of work and marriage, including their joys and sorrows. Happily, she found work as a punch press operator, but sadly, Marie lost her young husband in service to his country during World War II. Her resilience of spirit and strong faith sustained Marie at a time of grief and throughout her entire life.

Marie was blessed to love again when she met John Dreyer from Cadillac, Michigan. He was on the road with his job as a truck driver, but the two of them settled into life as a married couple on 6th Street on the West Side of Grand Rapids. Then, John built a house on 12th Avenue in Standale, and there they raised four children: Mary, John “Butch”, Connie, and Dennis. Even while she tended to her children, Marie worked full time in various factories over the course of her life, including McInerney, Tassel Hardware and finally Stephenson & Lawyer. Marie and John arranged their schedules whereby she worked the night shift and he worked the day shift, so that one of them was always home with the kids.

Even though they shared parenting responsibilities, there was little doubt about who was in charge of the home. Marie ran it and ran it well. Being somewhat of a neat freak, Marie kept an immaculate house. It wasn’t just clean, it was extraordinarily clean! Yet she was not particularly cautious about letting the kids play in the house. She just followed behind and picked up everything. That’s just the kind of person Marie was: hard-working, strong-willed, stubborn minded. Once her mind was set, there was no changing it, and that’s all there was to it. Admittedly, she was not particularly skilled at holding her tongue. If she had an opinion, she voiced it. An apt motto for Marie was: “It’s my way or the highway.” Truth be told, Marie’s way was that of a caring, devoted mother and homemaker.

Family life was filled with many good things that made for sweet memories. When the children were young, the family rented summer cottages on Bostwick Lake or stayed in a trailer on Big Star Lake. Yet every day of the year was a treat for the family, because Marie was such a great cook. She made big meals for John and the kids, right up to a time when she was cooking for the next generations of grandchildren and great grandchildren. She passed down old recipes for making fudge and had a particular knack for baking apple pies. As much as Marie loved to bake, her family loved to eat her delicious creations. She herself had a bit of a sweet tooth and was fond of chocolates and many other candies. Life at home was rich with good food and great times.

In 1965, Marie and John moved to a home on Westgate that continued to be a place of hospitality for family and friends. Marie liked having her grandchildren come over, and they loved it too. After all, they could do no wrong in her eyes. She let them do whatever they wanted and defended them to the hilt. Marie also remained close to her sisters all her life. When one of them became quite ill later in life, Marie retired early from Stephenson & Lawyer to care for her. As for friends, Marie and John had many of them, and they enjoyed getting together to play cards, go dancing or bowling. Friendships from Marie’s church became all the more important to her when John died in 1984. They were a source of strength, along with her family. Marie had always been very religious, and she faithfully attended church most of her life. However, she let others decide for themselves whether or not to attend with her. She did not force religion upon anyone, but she was strong in her own convictions.

In general, Marie was quite serious, but she showed glimpses of light-heartedness. She was spunky in her actions and moods. A cheerful mood could change instantly if someone said something that offended Marie. For her, life was rather clear: either a person was in her good graces or bad, and there was very little room in between. She had a mind of her own and she used it, even in matters of recreation and leisure. Marie liked to read a little and she enjoyed working crossword puzzles, but don’t think about interrupting her television viewing when she was watching 20/20 or Walker, Texas Ranger. She liked going on senior bus trips, but she also was content to stay at home. Forever true to her nature, Marie did what she wanted when she wanted.

In 2005, Marie moved from her home into Villa Maria where she could receive more daily assistance. Then, in July of 2007, she moved to St. Mary’s Living Center. Her independent nature and tenacious spirit had helped her fight a cancer that was first diagnosed in 1988. She turned even the best doctors into liars as she continued to beat the odds of survival. If she had pain, she didn’t speak of it. She battled the disease up to the day she passed away on Friday, September 28, 2007.

Marie was strong in heart, mind and soul. She will be greatly missed by those who loved her dearly.

Mrs. Marie Dreyer, of Grand Rapids, died at age 84. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Dreyer; sisters Ann Hoeksema, Nellie Faber, Rena Tomlin; and a grandson John Swanger. Marie is survived by her children Mary Grimes, John “Butch” Dreyer, Connie and James Lieske, Dennis and Sue Dreyer; 13 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren; her sisters Louise Malinowski and Alberta Olson and many nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate her life will be held on Monday, October 1 at 3 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield where relatives and friends may meet with her family on Sunday from 6-9 PM. To share a favorite memory of Marie or to sign the on-line registry, please visit www.lifestorynet.com