1919
Marie
2016
Marie "Maria Juliana" DeVries
October 25, 1919 — November 28, 2016
Marie "Maria Juliana" DeVries, beloved wife, mother, "Oma," and "Oma Great," transferred to her heavenly home Monday morning, November 28 at the age of 97. Marie was born on October 25, 1919 in Steenwijk, the Netherlands, the daughter of Hendrik and Anna (Vander Laan) Rook.
Marie grew up in Steenwijk in a loving, Christian home with five older brothers. They all grew up working in the family business of retail groceries and flour milling. Before World War II Marie met her future husband (Geert) through her older brother who had married an older sister of Geert. They were married on June 17, 1942, celebrating their 49th anniversary before Gary passed away in 1991. The three oldest of their five children were born in the Netherlands.
In May, 1950, Gary and Marie immigrated with the children to Grand Rapids, MI. The family moved to Kalamazoo in 1960 when they bought Uncle Ernie's Pancake House on Portage Rd. The restaurant became a successful business, blessing many customers who came in regularly for food and fellowship. Through various business ventures in retail and the restaurant, Gary and Marie continued to demonstrate the love of Christ in their kindness, generosity, good humor, and integrity.
Marie loved the restaurant and continued waiting on tables for some years after retirement. She loved to knit, read, and spent many years volunteering for various causes.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband Gary, son-in-law Henry R. "Dick" Balkema, grandson Benjamin Gehrman, great grandson John Luke Balkema, and brothers and their wives in the Netherlands and Australia. An older sister, also named Marie, died in the influenza epidemic in 1918.
She is survived by her children: Henry and Judy, Ann Balkema, Bob and Brenda, Ellen and David Gehrman, Rick and Jill; 18 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Thursday, December 1, at Milwood Community Church with Pastors Brian Seifert and Henry DeVries officiating. Friends may meet the family from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service. Private burial will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery.
Special thanks to the staff of the Upjohn Community Care Center for kind and considerate care these past years of Marie's life.
Memorials may be made to Milwood Community Church (Coffee Break Ministry). Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Burdick Street Chapel, 622 South Burdick Street, Kalamazoo.
**MEMORIALS**
Milwood Community Church (Coffee Break Ministry)
3306 Lovers Ln, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 342-8544
milwood.org/
3306 Lovers Lane
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49001
3306 Lovers Lane
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49001
Marie grew up in Steenwijk in a loving, Christian home with five older brothers. They all grew up working in the family business of retail groceries and flour milling. Before World War II Marie met her future husband (Geert) through her older brother who had married an older sister of Geert. They were married on June 17, 1942, celebrating their 49th anniversary before Gary passed away in 1991. The three oldest of their five children were born in the Netherlands.
In May, 1950, Gary and Marie immigrated with the children to Grand Rapids, MI. The family moved to Kalamazoo in 1960 when they bought Uncle Ernie's Pancake House on Portage Rd. The restaurant became a successful business, blessing many customers who came in regularly for food and fellowship. Through various business ventures in retail and the restaurant, Gary and Marie continued to demonstrate the love of Christ in their kindness, generosity, good humor, and integrity.
Marie loved the restaurant and continued waiting on tables for some years after retirement. She loved to knit, read, and spent many years volunteering for various causes.
Marie was preceded in death by her husband Gary, son-in-law Henry R. "Dick" Balkema, grandson Benjamin Gehrman, great grandson John Luke Balkema, and brothers and their wives in the Netherlands and Australia. An older sister, also named Marie, died in the influenza epidemic in 1918.
She is survived by her children: Henry and Judy, Ann Balkema, Bob and Brenda, Ellen and David Gehrman, Rick and Jill; 18 grandchildren, 36 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11 AM Thursday, December 1, at Milwood Community Church with Pastors Brian Seifert and Henry DeVries officiating. Friends may meet the family from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service. Private burial will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery.
Special thanks to the staff of the Upjohn Community Care Center for kind and considerate care these past years of Marie's life.
Memorials may be made to Milwood Community Church (Coffee Break Ministry). Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Burdick Street Chapel, 622 South Burdick Street, Kalamazoo.
**MEMORIALS**
Milwood Community Church (Coffee Break Ministry)
3306 Lovers Ln, Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 342-8544
milwood.org/
Visitation
DEC 1. 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Milwood Community Church3306 Lovers Lane
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49001
Service
DEC 1. 11:00 AM
Milwood Community Church3306 Lovers Lane
Kalamazoo, MI, US, 49001
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