Marion DeVries

Marion Julia DeVries was a woman of great faith and compassion. Her positive attitude and willingness to make the best of life made her an amazing wife and mother, truly living her life in the service of others.

The 1920s were a difficult time for many Americans, as the Great Depression left families scraping to get by. Despite the hard times, one family in Grand Rapids, Michigan found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of their first child, Marion. She was born on the twenty-first of September to James and Rika (Bolthouse) Grassmidt, and would eventually be the oldest of four children.

The family lived on the southeast side of the city, and her father was a home builder and carpenter. Marion's mother stayed at home with the children, caring for the family with a warm heart. The family attended Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church, and spent each Sunday in praise. Marion went to church there and all of the other activities for young people. It was there that she learned the fundamentals of her Christian faith. This faith sustained her throughout her life, and she would eventually share it with her own family, as well.

Marion went to elementary school at Ottawa Elementary, and then went on to Grand Rapids Christian High School, graduating with the class of 1939. While in high school, she took a year off from to assist her mother in caring for the other children. One of her sisters was ill and required additional care. Marion was a great help to her mother, and showed her devotion to her family at a very young age. She loved school and enjoyed learning, and decided to go back to school in order to graduate. She attended a special program for three months and learned how to be a secretary, which aided her in finding a job at an insurance company as a secretary and book keeper. She later went to work at Michigan National Bank in downtown Grand Rapids. Marion later went to work at a company called Grand Rapids Store Equipment.

While working at Grand Rapids Store Equipment, Marion made a connection that would forever change her life. It was there that she met a man by the name of John DeVries, who was a draftsman at the company. They instantly had passion for one another, and dated for a time before they were married in 1953, settling in an apartment on Burke Street on the north side of the city. There they began a beautiful life together, joining the East Leonard Christian Reformed church.

Marion and John then moved to a home on Spencer N.E., where they started their family. They were blessed with a daughter, Mary, and a son, Dan. Marion was in her element as a mother, and never hesitated to show her family how much love she had for them, no matter what the circumstances. They later moved to a home in Riverside Gardens, and continued to live there the rest of their lives.

Once in Riverside Gardens, the family joined the Riverside Christian Reformed Church, where they attended services regularly and were involved in many activities. She was a wonderful cook and baker, and was known for her cinnamon rolls and other baked goods. Her children remember her pumpkin pie to be the best.

She was also a very skilled person at hand crafts. She liked to make “scrubbies” from strips of nylon and was known to make several of these and give them to family and friends. One thing she wanted to do was learn to play the piano. At the age of 30 she purchased her own piano and took lessons. She loved to relax at her piano and found music to be therapeutic. She liked to sew and knit, always giving away her creations to her loved ones.

When the children were in school, she was active as a school supporter and was a part of the “tea group” at Creston Christian School. The children attended the Riverside Middle School, and she was part of the parent support that would make hot chocolate for the Safeties during the winter months. The family liked to vacation together, and usually the vacations were camping with friends or church friends at various camp grounds around Michigan. Going to Holland or Ludington or to Paradise Cove in Sand Lake were some of their favorite places.

One memorable event was when she attempted to teach her daughter how to row a boat on a small lake. It seems that neither one really knew much about it, as the family was camped on the east side of the lake and the two rowers kept going to the west side of the lake and had a difficult time getting back. Her daughter Mary never really learned the skill of rowing a boat. Many memories were created during their travels to various parts of the country. The family always stuck together.

In 1975, John passed away very unexpectedly, leaving Marion with two teen aged children. She did the best she could, and tried to keep up the spirit of the family despite their great loss. The following summer, she took her children to visit her brother who lived in California. They flew there and enjoyed a wonderful experience visiting many places in California, including Disney World.

Marion later went to work for Pioneer Management, who managed rental properties. She worked there as a book keeper and secretary. She later went to work for Sunshine Helpers, an organization that would work as a companion for elderly people. This afforded her the opportunity to be of help to many people and to assist them in any way she could, which suited her character perfectly.

In her spare time, Marion could be seen riding her bicycle around the neighborhood for exercise. She also did her part to improve the environment, making a hobby of picking up pop cans and turning them in. She was truly a child of the depression era. She was a very frugal lady and always paid cash for their homes and cars. If she could not pay for it she did not need it. She loved to read, especially religious books and old stories. She also spent time every day in her daily devotions.

Marion enjoyed trying new things, and had a daring side. One thing she wanted to do was ride a motorcycle, so on her 75th birthday her son arranged for a friend of his to take his mother on a motorcycle ride. Marion thought this was wonderful, and loved the rush of the scenery flying by. She also wanted to try a convertible, so on her 85th birthday an arrangement was made for her to “try out” a convertible from a local auto dealer. Marion thought driving the convertible was an amazing experience. At age 85, she gave up driving, but she liked cars and would join her son at car shows when he showed his car.

During the last few years she had declining health and stayed at home most of the time with her daughter and son, who lived with her, caring for her. Early Friday morning she was taken to St. Mary’s Hospital where she passed away. She did get her wish to stay in her home until she passed away.

Mrs. Marion Julia DeVries (Grassmidt), aged 89 years and 9 months, of Grand Rapids, a beloved mother and sister entered into the arms of Jesus Friday June 11, 2010. She was preceded in death by her husband John DeVries. Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law: Mary and Bob Crans, her son Daniel DeVries, her sister Shirley Grassmidt, a brother-in-law, a niece and three nephews. Funeral and committal services will be held Monday at 1 P.M. at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien – Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E. with Rev. Matthew Palsrok officiating. Interment will be in Fairplains Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with her family Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Riverside Christian Reformed Church Memorial Fund would be appreciated. To read more of Marion’s life, share a memory or sign the online register book please visit www.lifestorynet.com.

Marion was a person with a very positive attitude and a deep devotion to her faith. She leaves a legacy of compassion and generosity, and will be so deeply missed.