Gladys Ruth DeVries

Gladys went to celebrate Christmas in Heaven with her Lord and Savior on December 19, 2023.  She was born in Chicago on November 25, 1931, to the late Cornelius and Minnie VanBeek.  She was united in marriage to Lester on June 7, 1952, who passed away in 2013. 

Gladys was a long-time member of Westwood Christian Reformed Church and served her church and community in many volunteer and outreach activities.  Gladys was busy at home with five active kids and devoted her life to their well-being until the youngest was in high school when she became a much sought after bank teller.  Mom was our biggest cheerleader at athletic, musical and other endeavors - carrying this through to the generations that followed.  A quiet example of faith, Gladys showed us how to love by how she treated others and her outlook toward life's challenges.  Gladys loved music, being outside, by the water, watching a sunset and moments of quiet contemplation.  But what gave Gladys the most joy was time laughing and creating memories with friends and family throughout her 92 years.

Gladys leaves behind her children: Dan (Barb) DeVries, Churubusco, IN, Don (Karen) DeVries, Kalamazoo, MI, Dave (Jan) DeVries, Kalamazoo, MI, Barb (Ron) Sportel, Kalamazoo, MI, and Peg (Keith) Burns, South Boardman, MI.

Grandchildren: Sara (Mike) Pylar, John DeVries, K.C. (Jason) VanKampen, Chelsea (Eric) Rottman, Megan (Scott) Styf, Audra (Dan) Mueller, Randy (Sarah) DeVries, Michelle DeVries, Ryan (Meghan) DeVries, Melissa (Caleb) Knol, Molly (Jeremy) Triemstra, Eric (Sarah) Jacobsma, Kelly (Chad) Broekhuis, Bryan Sportel, Kevin (Jolie) Sportel, Nicole (James) Spencer, Michelle (Ryan) Bucholtz, Michael (Andrea) Burns and 34 great-grandchildren with two on the way.

Gladys was also survived by her sister and husband, Vivian and Bob DeKoning, two brothers-in-law, Peter Tuinstra and Rev Homer Wigboldy—and several nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by her sister, Marilyn and spouse, Jim Olthoff; Sister, Nancy Tuinstra. Lester's siblings and spouses.

The family will greet friends on Friday, December 29, from 2-4 pm at Westwood Christian Reformed Church, where a memorial service will take place at 4 pm, with Pastor Mike Koetje officiating. A light supper will be provided after the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Kalamazoo Christian Schools Association or the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission. For those unable to attend, this service may be viewed on Westwood Worship's YouTube Channel.

To view Glady’s personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com