Eike Maring

Eike Maring died on Saturday evening, April 6, 2024 and went to be with her Lord. She was born on May 18, 1933 in Winsum, Groningen, The Netherlands, the daughter of Peter and Aaffien (Mulder) Banninga.

For Eike, the hardship of growing up during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands was softened by the bonds of her large, tight-knit family. After the war, at the age of 21, she married Harry Maring and left her family to immigrate to the United States with his mother and two brothers. She became a mother at the age of 22 and had three children. Eike’s hard work and skill in cleaning houses was always in demand. Her enterprise helped support a family value of Christian school education. She and Harry were married for 67 years. She was a member of Grace Christian Reformed Church and a lifelong supporter of Kalamazoo Christian Schools.

Eike was an avid walker, gardener, and bowler. She felt the greatest fulfillment in helping others, including elderly community members. She was a faithful volunteer for over 10 years at Second Impressions resale store. She took great joy in spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She especially enjoyed travel to The Netherlands to see her siblings and their families.

A lifelong follower of Jesus Christ, her favorite verse was Philippians 4:13. Eike was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Harry Maring and her eight siblings, Arie, Kees, Jantje, Evert, Corrie, Hendrik, Martje, and Berend. Surviving are her children, Clarence J. (Elizabeth) Maring, Edward L. (Linda) Maring, Shirley A. Pruitt; grandchildren, Tom Maring, Daniel (Alexandra) Maring, Steven (Katherin) Maring, Nathan (Victoria) Maring, Renee Maring, Caroline Pruitt, and Jake Pruitt; and great-grandchildren, Elijah Maring, Lenore Maring, Genevieve Maring, and Andie Maring.

Visitation will be from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Friday, April 12th, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 3926 S. 9th St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49009, where services will begin at 12:00 PM. Private graveside services will be held in Maple Grove Cemetery in Comstock. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to the Kalamazoo Christian School Association. To view Eike's personalized webpage, please visit www.langelands.com