Helen De Young

DE YOUNG, Helen Of Kalamazoo Helen went to be with her Lord, Tuesday afternoon May 12, 2009 at Bronson Methodist Hospital.
She was born March 26, 1919 in Kalamazoo, the youngest daughter of Reverend Henry and Anna Brouwer Danhof. Helen graduated from Kalamazoo Central High School's class of '37. She attended nursing school and worked as a Physician's Assistant for Dr.Huyser in his historic home/office on Burdick Street. She also worked in the office of Dr. Paul Schier for a time. Helen met the love of her life and husband of 63 years, Charles De Young, in 1940. It was love at first sight but WWII forced them to wait over 4 years to marry. On August 25th, 1945 they began their long and happy life together, just weeks after Chuck's discharge. They went on to have two sons and a daughter and had the kind of marriage that anyone would envy. It was a household built on love and respect with a firm basis of God's grace. Helen had a long and varied work life. She was always busy. She enjoyed ceramics and eventually opened her own studio, first in her basement and then in a storefront in Oakwood. She enjoyed the classroom and was a wonderful teacher. After retirement, Chuck and Helen moved to Florida and enjoyed 26 years in the sun. Helen volunteered as the school nurse at a local elementary school in Sarasota. She has always been the one people called when they were ill. Tending to the sick was always Helen's calling. She was a wonderful wife, mother, friend and advisor and will be terribly missed. Helen was preceded in death by all her siblings; a son, Donald De Young, a daughter-in-law, Kathy Laske De Young and a grandson, Chance Claassen. Surviving are her husband, Charles De Young; son, Robert De Young; daughter Jan Ul Claassen; 5 grandchildren, Ian Claassen, Vanessa Tim Strausberg, Ryan De Young, Emily De Young and Kathy De Young; 4 great-grandchildren, Ivy and Nola Strausberg, Makayla De Young and Jace Claassen. Funeral services for Helen will be at 3:00 PM on Saturday at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick Street, with Rev. Phil Kok officiating, with visitation from 2:00 PM until the time of services. Private interment will be in Riverside Cemetery. As an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be directed to the Arthritis Foundation. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign Helen's online guestbook or leave a condolence to the family.