Evelyn "Marie" Hazen

All who knew Evelyn “Marie” Hazen would agree that she put the sparkle into the world around her. Gracious, genuine, and approachable, she had her own way of making people feel at ease. When Marie loved, she loved with all her heart, and there was nothing that she wouldn’t do for those around her. A more devoted mother would be hard to find as her family that grew to include grandchildren and great-grandchildren was her primary focus throughout her life. Never one to concern herself with the ways of this world, Marie was a woman of faith whose life was a shining example of what it means to follow after the Lord’s heart. Life will never be the same without Marie here, but the priceless collection of memories she created with the ones she leaves behind will never be forgotten.

The year 1924 was a year to remember in America as it was filled with numerous noteworthy events. As radios became part of our world, President Calvin Coolidge was the first president to have his inaugural address broadcast over the airwaves while the Chrysler Corporation was founded during this same year. Scotch tape was invented, and Sears Roebuck opened its first store in Chicago, Illinois. This was also a year to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from Grand Rapids, Michigan, as they welcomed a healthy baby girl into their hearts and home on July 11th. Evelyn “Marie” was the oldest of three girls born to her parents, John and Evelyn L. (Fox) Reynhout, and she was raised in the family home on Cogswell Street in the Fairview area of the Westside alongside her sisters, Jacqueline and Lorraine. When she was a bit older their family moved to a home on Powers Street, NW. Marie and her family were members of Trinity Reformed Church, which would be her church home for the rest of her life spanning nearly 80 years.

As a young girl Marie’s life was a reflection of the times. She attended Fairview Elementary School, Harrison Park Jr. High, and then Union High School. As a high school student she was in the ROTC, and she also worked as a waitress in the food service department at the local YMCA. After graduating from high school in 1942, Evelyn worked at Duthler’s Market and Bylesma’s Dairy, and she later went on to work at Buckeye Insurance Company.

Not to be forgotten during her years in high school was Marie’s introduction to the young man who would change the course of her life forever. His name was Wayne Voshel, and they began dating. Deeply in love, Marie and Wayne were later married. The newlyweds settled into a home on Quarry, and they later moved to a home on White Street, NW. Together they were blessed with the births of two children, John and Carol. In addition to caring for her family, Evelyn worked in the graphic arts department at the Grand Rapids Real Estate Board, which was a fun job that she truly loved. After several years Marie and Wayne divorced.

There were a number of things that kept Evelyn busy over the years. She was an amazing seamstress who made several outfits for her children and later her grandchildren as well, and there was nothing like one of Marie’s homemade Halloween costumes. She also loved doing embroidery. For years Marie was a member of a canasta club, and she greatly enjoyed playing bingo and going to dances. As an active member of Trinity Reformed Church, she helped on many of the committees including the funeral luncheon committee. Throughout her life Evelyn loved both her church and fellow church members.

New and exciting changes were in store for Marie when she met Herman Rozema while getting her car fixed. They became close friends who later began to date and fell in love. Marie and Herman married, and he also had a son, Roger, whom Marie loved as her own. They were true companions who loved being together. Marie and Herman often got all dressed up to go out to dinner and dances. She deeply loved him, and it was easy to see that he adored her, too. Marie was deeply saddened with Herman’s death in 1991. She continued to delight in her family that grew to include four grandchildren. For years Marie loved playing cards with her grandchildren, and they, too, loved spending time with her whenever they could. After Herman’s death she cherished the time she had to spend with family even more.

Later in life Marie began spending winters in Florida. It was there that she met a family acquaintance named Harvey Hazen. He asked her to dance, she accepted, and the rest is history as they say. Marie and Harvey began dating and were later married, deeply in love. In 2004, they sold their home in Florida and moved to Harvey’s home in Wayland, Michigan. As they aged Marie’s daughter, Carol, moved in with them to help out when needed. Recently, Harvey moved in with his son who was able to care for him. Just this past July a fall led to a decline in Marie’s health, and she died surrounded by her family under hospice care.

A kindhearted, faith filled, and loving woman, Evelyn “Marie” Hazen was a blessing in the lives of those around her. She was a woman who was content in all things, even when the way before her was anything but easy. Marie was deeply devoted to the family she treasured, and it was when surrounded by her loved ones that she was truly happy. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know and love her.

HAZEN (Rozema, Voshel, Reynhout) Evelyn “Marie” Hazen, aged 90 of Wayland, MI, formerly of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior, at her home on Tuesday, October 14, 2014 with her family at her side. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Wayne Voshel, Herman Rozema, her grandson, Jonathan Voshel and her sister, Jackie (Roy) Breen. She is survived by her husband, Harvey Hazen; her children, John and Kathy Voshel, Carol Wierenga; her grandchildren, Linda (Jim) Westdorp, Dr. Nathan (Theresa) Voshel, Jimmy Wierenga, Lindsey (Scott) Dempster; 10 great grandchildren; her sister, Lorraine (Clifford) Goeree; her step-children, Roger (Barbara) Rozema, Beverly (Ken) Sutter, Kenneth (Sandra) Hazen, Rodney (Dianna) Hazen; step-grandchildren, Melissa Rozema, Kristen (Brad) Short, Andrew Rozema; several step great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and friends. Marie was a loving, kind and gentle, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and sister who loved her family dearly. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. Marie loved her church, Trinity Reformed, where she was a member for over 80 years. A service to celebrate Marie’s life will be held on Saturday October 25, 2014 at 11:00 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van't Hof Chapel, 851 Leonard NW where relatives and friends may meet her family on Friday, October 24 from 7:00 – 9:00 PM. Burial in Greenwood Cemetery. Contributions in her memory may be made to Trinity Reformed Church. To read more about Evelyn’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com