Shirley Van Assen

Shirley E. Van Assen, age 92, went to be with her Lord & Savior on Tuesday, February 9, 2021. Shirley was born in the fall of 1928 in McBain, MI to the late Ralph and Hattie [Hoeksema] Van Houten. Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 70 years, Lawrence “Larry” Van Assen who passed away in 2018. She is also preceded in death by brothers William, Warren(Eleanor) and Robert; sisters Cile (Jay) Bode, Hilda (Harv) Loeks, and Ethyl (Cyril) Sikkema as well as by brothers-in-law Fred Van Assen, Roger (Ellen) Van Assen and Gerald Bogard. Shirley was an attentive and caring mother, always willing to pitch in. She rarely missed any of her children or grandchildren’s sporting events. Shirley also enjoyed knitting, playing golf and loved wintering in Gulf Shores with her family and friends. She had been a faithful member of Orchard Hill (Fairview) Reformed Church and will be remembered for her steadfast devotion and faith in God. Shirley is survived by her children Ruth (Doug) Haveman, Kathleen (Ross) Marsman, Craig (Suzanne) Van Assen, Jayne (Craig) Gilmer; grandchildren, Christine (Kris) Lesley, Scott (Lindsay) Haveman, Keith (Jennifer) Marsman, Chad (Teri) Marsman, Jason (Brooke) Van Assen, Kara (Ross) Poll, Deena (Jeff) Vroegindewey, Matthew (Corissa) Gilmer, Michelle (Jesse) Veenstra and many great grandchildren. Also surviving are her sister Gert Bogard and sister-in-law Joyce Van Houten. Private family funeral services have taken place and Shirley has been laid to rest next to Larry in Rosedale Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to The Children’s Heart Foundation, (5 Revere Dr., Northbrook, IL 60062). Family wishes to express their appreciation to Faith Hospice for the wonderful care provided to Shirley. Please visit Shirley's web page to leave a memory or condolence at www.heritagelifestory.com