Tillie Vanderveen

Tillie H. Vanderveen was a devoted wife, loving mother, attentive grandmother and faithful child of God. She was honest and sincere, poised and proper, yet she had a humorous side that could surprise those who knew her best. Gracious and kind, she never gossiped about anyone. Understanding and compassionate, she sided with the underdog. Tillie delighted in family togetherness, but above all, she set an example of faith for her loved ones to follow.

Tillie was born Tuitje Hilda on July 24, 1929 in Grand Rapids, Michigan just months before the U.S. stock market crashed and countries around the world experienced long years of scarcity. Sacrifices were made and parents like Berend and Jennie (Buiter) Roeters willing did what they could to better the lives of their children. They lived frugally and relied on what mattered most: faith and family.

Tillie was one of seven children—Hilda, Hank, Ed, Ann, Tillie, Jean and Bernice—some of them having been born in the Netherlands. Their parents emigrated in a wave of Europeans seeking more land and opportunity to raise a growing family. Settling on the southeast side of Grand Rapids, Tillie attended Baxter Elementary School and Eastern Avenue Christian Reformed Church, where her faith was nurtured and her character developed. She was a sensitive, kind-hearted child who spent a lot of time caring for and reading to her youngest sister.

From high school at (what is now) Grand Rapids Christian, Tillie entered Grand Rapids Junior College to begin her studies in nursing. Regretfully, she never completed her schooling but worked for a time at Calvin College and later in a doctor’s office. Her relationship with David Peter Vanderveen, whom she had met at Christian High, developed into a lifelong commitment when they married in 1952. The ceremony took place October 16th at her parents’ home on Boston Street, and the couple honeymooned at Copper Harbor in the Upper Peninsula.

Once Tillie and David began their family, Tillie remained home to care for their three children: Mary, Sue and Cherry. She was supportive of her daughters and often served as peacemaker and the voice of reason around the house. When the girls were school-aged, Tillie was all the more invested, serving on the PTA, teaching sewing for the 4H Club, and generally chauffeuring kids to lessons, appointments and recreation. Her Toyota Land Cruiser became a familiar sight whether it was parked at the beach or she was waiting for music lessons to finish.

During the summer, the Vanderveen family often rented cottages to enjoy Michigan’s many lakes. It didn’t matter if she was strolling the beach or walking the dogs, Tillie just liked being outdoors. She thrilled to go on rafting trips, to dude ranches and the Caribbean, but one vacation was a once-in-a-lifetime event. David arranged for them to go on an African Safari in which they followed gorillas into the jungle. Still, the trip to Europe for their 50th wedding anniversary topped the list because all her family was with her. Nothing delighted Tillie more than having them around.

At home, Tillie entertained with grace and refinement. Though she and David were both quite private people, she learned to host for his business needs. She was a good cook and always welcoming of clients who came for dinner. The Cascade Country Club became a place to socialize, play the occasional golf game and later take grandkids swimming.

When Tillie became a grandmother, she again invested in the lives of children. She babysat her grandkids, took them from place to place and invited them for sleepovers. She was always game to play, work puzzles and read stories as she had done so many years before with her sister. The grandchildren liked her cooking, especially her spaghetti sauce and homemade butterscotch. On Sunday evenings, it was typical for the kids and grandkids to come by Tillie and David for a light lunch at their home in Ada, and when they left, she always asked if they needed something to take home.

Perhaps the greatest offer Tillie made was a listening ear and caring heart. She could converse with no problem, but she could also sense when to be still and let others talk. When people spoke to Tillie, they knew they were being heard.

Tillie’s quiet spirit accompanied a joy for reading. She read everything—the Classics, mysteries, history—and even took her time to read the plaques at museums or scenic sites. It was a fitting way to learn about a world that could inform her prayers as she lived out her faith each day of her life.

As David's health began to fail, Tillie had help in caring for him at home. But when more assistance was needed, they moved from the house they shared for 47 years and took up residence at Clark Retirement Community. For the past two years, Tillie had dinner with David each evening. She appreciated the care he received but also the social life Clark afforded her. She took part in book clubs, playing bingo, going to movies and having lunch with other women.

Four weeks prior to her passing, Tillie was diagnosed with cancer, and graciously the Lord took her home. She will be remembered as a most gracious and kind person by all who had the privilege of knowing a woman of deep faith, hope and love.

Tillie H. Vanderveen, age 85 of Grand Rapids, Michigan and formerly of Ada, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, February 23, 2015. She is survived by her husband of 62 years, David; her children Mary & Tim Oele, Sue & Jim Droge, Cherry & Craig Talsma; grandchildren Joshua & Elizabeth Oele, Rachel & Gabe Hull, Heidi & Tim Lauger, Leah & Russ Lewandowski, Laura & Mike Cameron, David Droge & finacee Audrey Dornan, Adam & Ginger Hollemans, Abigail & Mark Elenbaas; great grandchildren Anna, Isaac and Matthew Lauger, William and Samuel Cameron, Hudson and Sullivan Lewandowski, Lydia Elenbaas and Asher Hollemans; sisters, Jean DeHoog and Bernice Freeman; and sister-in-law Helen Vanderveen; as well as many nieces and nephews. A service to remember and celebrate Tillie's life will be held at 12:30 PM on Saturday, February 28 at the Chapel at Clark Retirement Community, 1551 Franklin SE, where friends are invited to visit with her family from 10:30 AM until the time of the service. Interment in Findlay Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to either Clark Foundation or Faith Hospice. To read more about Tillie's life, to share a memory or to sign her guestbook, visit www.lifestorynet.com