Gertrude E. Van Dam

VAN DAM, Gertrude E., Age 93 of Kalamazoo. A dedicated Christian believer and beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, went to be with the Lord on February 16, 2011. She was born in Kalamazoo on June 5, 1917 to Henry and Wynanda Koning. After graduating from Kalamazoo Central High School and attending Parsons Business School, she worked at Kalamazoo Stationery Company. She married Walter L. Van Dam on June 27, 1941, and together they had one daughter and two sons. She encouraged her children to play musical instruments, to pursue advanced educational opportunities, and, most importantly, to be active in the church. She was a lifelong, active member of Grace Christian Reformed Church. For several years she typed the weekly church bulletin. Gertrude was predeceased by her parents, one brother, John Koning, a brother-in-law, J. Preston Voss, and a brother-in-law and a sister-in-law, Gerald and Joanne Van Eyk. She is survived by her husband of 69 years, Walter Van Dam; three children: Judith and Rev. Henry DeVries of Kalamazoo, Dr. James and Hikari Van Dam of Austin, TX, and Dr. Raymond Van Dam of Grass Lake, MI; four grandchildren: Julie and Matthew Bos, Sarah and Jeffrey Vander Hart, Thomas and Lori DeVries, and Philip and Shannel DeVries; seven great-grandchildren: Nathaniel, Haleigh, and Anneka Bos, Luke, Adam, and Lwin Vander Hart, and Thane DeVries; her sister, Henrietta Voss, her brother, Alfred and Sally Koning, two sisters-in-law, Hester Koning and Harriet Koning, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Visitation will be on Sunday, February 20, at 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. A funeral service will be held at 11 am on Monday, February 21, 2011, at Grace Christian Reformed Church, 1724 Whites Rd. Internment in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Grace Christian Reformed Church and/or Kalamazoo Christian Schools. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints" Psalm 116:15. Please visit www.langelands.com to leave a condolence to the family and view the video tribute.