1935
Esther
2008
Esther Van Giessen
March 3, 1935 — May 30, 2008
VAN GIESSEN, Esther
Grand Rapids
Formerly of Kalamazoo Passed away Friday, May 30, 2008 in Grand Rapids after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born March 3, 1935 in Kalamazoo, where she lived for 70 years before moving to Grand Rapids to be near her children and grandchildren. Esther graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1952 and was a longtime former member of Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Kalamazoo and a current member of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. Esther enjoyed volunteering at nursing homes and most of all spending time with her grandchildren. Her testimony and life showed her fervent hope in the Lord Jesus Christ and her desire to be with Him. Surviving Esther is her husband of 52 years of marriage, Jacob; 3 daughters, Kathy Mark Scholten of Akron, OH, Elizabeth Kevin DeVries of Allendale, MI, and Joan Roger Vroegindewey of Ada, MI; 15 grandchildren, Sarah, Rachel, Jason, Bethany, and Mathew Scholten, Nathan, Abigail, Jonathan, Caleb, and Maria DeVries, and Luke, Isaac, Jeremiah, Noah, Grace, and Phillip Vroegindewey; 3 brothers, Barney and Peter Sluys both of Kalamazoo, and John Sluys of Phoenix, AZ; 1 sister, Alice VanDyken of Manhattan, MT; 2 brothers-in-law, Garrett Helen VanGiessen, Bart Anne VanGiessen, and 1 sister-in-law, Mary Robert VanBeck; 2 step-brothers-in-law, Albert and James Sikkema; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was their only son, James Allen VanGiessen; 2 grandchildren, Amanda and Lauren Vroegindewey; her parents, John and Irene Westra Sluys; and 2 sisters, Martha Huttinga and Winifred Broekema. Funeral services for Esther will be at 2:00 PM on Tuesday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, with Rev. Dr. Joel Beeke officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park with Rev. Mark Scholten officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM on Monday and from 1-2 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to Providence Christian School of Kalamazoo or Plymouth Christian School of Grand Rapids. www.langelands.com
Grand Rapids
Formerly of Kalamazoo Passed away Friday, May 30, 2008 in Grand Rapids after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born March 3, 1935 in Kalamazoo, where she lived for 70 years before moving to Grand Rapids to be near her children and grandchildren. Esther graduated from Kalamazoo Christian High School in 1952 and was a longtime former member of Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Kalamazoo and a current member of Heritage Netherlands Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. Esther enjoyed volunteering at nursing homes and most of all spending time with her grandchildren. Her testimony and life showed her fervent hope in the Lord Jesus Christ and her desire to be with Him. Surviving Esther is her husband of 52 years of marriage, Jacob; 3 daughters, Kathy Mark Scholten of Akron, OH, Elizabeth Kevin DeVries of Allendale, MI, and Joan Roger Vroegindewey of Ada, MI; 15 grandchildren, Sarah, Rachel, Jason, Bethany, and Mathew Scholten, Nathan, Abigail, Jonathan, Caleb, and Maria DeVries, and Luke, Isaac, Jeremiah, Noah, Grace, and Phillip Vroegindewey; 3 brothers, Barney and Peter Sluys both of Kalamazoo, and John Sluys of Phoenix, AZ; 1 sister, Alice VanDyken of Manhattan, MT; 2 brothers-in-law, Garrett Helen VanGiessen, Bart Anne VanGiessen, and 1 sister-in-law, Mary Robert VanBeck; 2 step-brothers-in-law, Albert and James Sikkema; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding her in death was their only son, James Allen VanGiessen; 2 grandchildren, Amanda and Lauren Vroegindewey; her parents, John and Irene Westra Sluys; and 2 sisters, Martha Huttinga and Winifred Broekema. Funeral services for Esther will be at 2:00 PM on Tuesday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, with Rev. Dr. Joel Beeke officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park with Rev. Mark Scholten officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM on Monday and from 1-2 PM on Tuesday at the funeral home. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to Providence Christian School of Kalamazoo or Plymouth Christian School of Grand Rapids. www.langelands.com
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