Thressa Datema

Thressa Datema was a woman whose life was filled with love all of her days. Love for her family, love for her friends, and love for the Lord. She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a friend to so many over the years. Most of all, she was a lady who felt truly blessed by the Lord, just as we were so blessed to have known her.

Thressa's story began on a cold, blustery fall day in 1913, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were such exciting times in this country, as the automobile and the airplane were transforming our culture from the farms and the fields to the city streets. On November 2, 1913, William and Adrianna (Levious) Vander Schie celebrated the birth of a baby girl, a daughter they named Thressa. Less than a week later, on November 7, a terrible blizzard blanketed the Great Lakes region, the deadliest natural disaster to ever hit the lakes, killing over 250 people, destroying 19 ships, and stranding 19 others.

Thressa was the youngest of seven children in the Vander Schie home, joining older half-siblings Peter, Bertha, Minnie, and Tony, and older siblings John and Fredrika. William's first wife died following the birth of their fourth child, and he then was later remarried to Adrianna. The Vander Schies were a good Christian family, and Thressa grew up with a powerful faith in the Lord, which she carried all of her days.

She attended Creston Christian School, before her family packed up and headed to Allendale when she was eight years old. She then attended Allendale Schools through the 10th grade, as was so common in those days.

After she left school, she found work at the Buttercup Bakery on Leonard NW, near Alpine, where she not only worked hard, but also perfected her budding baking skills. She later worked at Steketees Department Store in downtown Grand Rapids, and also The Hitching Post furniture store on Leonard NW. Eventually, however, she would be picking out furniture, not selling it.

Thressa had met a handsome young man named Henry Datema, and after getting to know each other, they began a two-year courtship. The happy couple was married on August 2, 1938, at the Alpine Avenue Christian Reformed Church.

The newlyweds settled into a two-family home on Fremont NW in Grand Rapids, where soon they would become parents, as well. On December 16, 1942, the young couple celebrated the birth of their first child, their son David. By then, however, the dark skies of World War II had settled over the horizon, and Henry was drafted in the U.S. Army. He was released from his service, though, after little David became critically ill, yet blessedly survived.

Eventually, the family moved to a lovely home they built at 1949 Arianna NW, where they would form so many wonderful memories. Their second child, daughter Mary Jo, was born on April 17, 1949, rounding out the happy family.

Thressa was an incredible wife and mother, who loved her family so intensely. While she was very active in the Alpine Avenue CRC's ladies groups in her younger years, when her children arrived she devoted much of her free time to them. She became very involved in the West Side Christian School, from the PTA to various mothers' groups, always so supportive of her children's activities and best interests.

Thressa was also a tremendous cook, a true magician in the kitchen, and her veal dish she made for special occasions was legendary. And after her baking days at Buttercup, she also made fantastic baked treats fresh from the oven, too.

While her kitchen was a favorite place for all, Thressa paid just as much attention to the rest of her happy home, too. She had a true gift for home decorating, and was an immaculate housekeeper. Her home and how it was presented was very important to her, and a source of pride.

To Thressa, creating a beautiful home was a labor of love, something she found great enjoyment in doing. She found enjoyment in so many things, though. She loved to golf, which she did regularly, and she liked to bowl, too, and played on bowling teams for years. She also loved listening to music, especially sacred organ and choral music, which filled her home as she worked, reminding her of her faith. Thressa had a powerful faith in the Lord, and was a true "prayer warrior," always thinking of and praying for those around her.

After her children were in school, Thressa went back to work, finding a position with the Christian Rest Home, which she enjoyed so much. She retired from there after 20 years, where she was so beloved, and brought so much light into the lives of the residents. Thressa was a woman with such a beautiful, effervescent personality, so congenial, with a great sense of humor and an ever-present smile upon her face. You couldn't help but love her.

Sadly, her beloved Henry died in 1991, so Thressa decided to move from their Arianna home to the Hillburn Condominiums. Then in 2004, she moved once more, to the Christian Rest Home she knew and loved so well. Sadly, Thressa died there Wednesday, April 11, 2007, at the age of 93.

Thressa was a wonderful woman, who lived a long and wonderful life, a life full of faith, family, and love. She was a beloved wife, loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and a friend to so many. Most of all, she was a woman who felt truly blessed by the Lord, just as we were so blessed to have known her. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her children David H. and Elaine Datema of Marne and Mary Jo and Robert Verburg of Grand Rapids; 8 grandchildren and their spouses, 19 great grandchildren, her sister Fredrika Wolma and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11AM Tuesday at Westend Christian Reformed Church, 1015 Westend NW with her pastor Rev. Henry Admiraal and grandson Rev. Steve Datema officiating. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Friends may meet the family on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9PM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr NW. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christian Rest Home, 1000 Edison NW, 49504. You may read Thressa's Life Story, share a memory or sign the guestbook by visiting www.lifestorynet.com