Alma R. Viswat-VanHeuvelen

VanHeuvelen, Alma R.
Viswat-Weeldreyer
Of Kalamazoo Alma has finished the race and kept the faith. She passed away surrounded by her family on Tuesday morning, July 14, 2015 at Rose Arbor Hospice Residence in Kalamazoo, MI. She was born on February 26, 1919 in Waukon, Iowa to the late Rev. Meindert and Gertrude Siemsen Weeldreyer. She grew up in Clara City, MN, where she enjoyed music and sports growing up. In 1940, Alma graduated from Hope College in Holland, MI with a degree in Music Education and went on to teach music in Wayland, MI and Lake Orion, MI public schools. After meeting through over a year of letter writing during WWII, Alma married Herman L. Viswat on June 22, 1946, and helped him develop his beautiful baritone voice. They enjoyed many years of piano playing and singing together while raising their three daughters. She touched many lives through her work in the community with music. For 38 years, she was Minister of Music at Second Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, which included being the organist, director of choirs, and much more. Alma played for countless weddings and funerals, many times with her husband Herman singing. She also taught private piano lessons for over 60 years. She was a member/adjudicator of KAMTA, founding 1948 and last surviving charter member of the SW Michigan Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, played piano and organ accompanying many, including her children on flute, violin and cello. On December 31, 2004, her husband Herman passed away after 58 years of marriage. On November 18, 2006, at age 87, Alma was married to Harold "Van" J. VanHeuvelen. Alma and Van, who played the violin, shared their music at their homes in Kalamazoo, MI and Red Lodge, MT. Alma always enjoyed traveling with her family and loved the mountains. Alma and Van made many trips into Yellowstone National Park when they were in Red Lodge. Surviving are her husband of 8 years, Harold "Van" VanHeuvelen; three daughters, Mary Honeysett Kuipers of Kalamazoo, Jane Bill Fette of Kalamazoo and Margery Dave Latchaw of Ft. Wayne, IN; two step-sons, John Nikki VanHeuvelen and Robert Jane Sherburne VanHeuvelen; seven grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren; brother, James Sue Weeldreyer of Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death were her husband of 58 years, Herman Viswat; two sisters, Lois DeVreugd and Esther Sieff; and two brothers, Paul and Justin Weeldreyer. Friends may visit with Alma's family from 2-5 PM on Sunday, July 19, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street. Interment and committal services will be at 12:00 PM on Monday, July 20, at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. A service to celebrate Alma's life will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, at Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Drive, with Rev. Kevin V. Hart officiating. Memorial contributions may be directed to Second Reformed Church or Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Please visit Alma's personalized webpage for directions, her online guestbook or to leave a condolence to her family at www.langelands.com .