Helen M. Rysenga

RYSENGA, Helene M.
Of Kalamazoo Passed away Wednesday morning, November 26, 2008 at the Rose Arbor Hospice Residence. Helene was proud to say that she was born May 8, 1912 in Holland, MI; which was 19 days after the Titanic went down. She was the daughter of Andrew and Helena Mulder Steketee. Helene was employed with the City of Kalamazoo Employee Credit Union now Citizens Credit Union and also worked in the Comstock Public Schools. Helene was a member of Westwood United Methodist Church and enjoyed doing various crafts which included china painting, ceramics, knitting, and quilting. In her younger years she enjoyed playing tennis, roller skating, reading, and playing the organ. Helene was involved with the National Arthritis Foundation and had fond memories of a camping trip in a Nabisco Cookie truck. On May 31, 1934 she was united in marriage to Herman "Harm" Rysenga who preceded her in death in May of 1979. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Susan; and 2 brothers, Leonard and Raymond Steketee. Surviving are 6 children, Elizabeth "Libby" Ken Flickinger, Margaret Carlson, Ken Mary Rysenga, Paul Judy Rysenga, Tom Betty Rysenga, Chuck Cathy Rysenga, 16 grandchildren; many great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; a brother, Charles Steketee; and several nieces and nephews. Services will be held 1:00 o'clock Monday at the Westwood United Methodist Church, 538 Nichols Rd, with Rev. Dr. Wayne Price officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery. Friends may meet the family Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8pm at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street, and from 12:00-1:00 Monday at the church . Memorials may be directed to the National Arthritis Foundation or Hospice Services of Southwest Michigan. www.langelands.com