Luella J. Mc Louth

There was no one quite like Luella Mc Louth. A devoted wife, dedicated mother, loving grandmother, and good friend, Luella filled the lives around her with joy. She gave of her time and talents, and her selfless commitment in serving others was to be admired. Luella counted her family as her greatest blessing, and her faith knew no bounds. Gone but never to be forgotten are the treasured memories she leaves behind.

Luella’s story began during a time of economic prosperity as industry and the need for consumer goods rose. While Gershwin and Berlin dominated the music sector, men in their pan hats strolled along with swank and swagger and were quite a match for the belles of the infamous Roaring Twenties, the flapper. At the same time, Ellis Island closed its doors as an immigration entry point leaving behind numerous memories of promises for better tomorrows. Yet in the small village of New Era, Michigan, nothing compared to the excitement experienced by Earl and Grace (Achterhof) Van Syoc when on May 7, 1924, they celebrated the birth of their little girl, Luella June.

The youngest of three children, Luella joined her older siblings, Orin “Jay” and Percy “Bud.” Although her parents divorced when Luella was quite young, she enjoyed a childhood typical of her generation despite the hardships of the Great Depression. Her family eventually moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan which offered more opportunity and where Luella received her early education. A friendly girl, she was a friend of many and went on to graduate from Union High School with the Class of 1942.

After graduating, Luella moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan when she took a job as an operator with Michigan Bell Telephone. She and her roommate, Alice became good friends and together they enjoyed the best of times. With World War II raging overseas, Alice stressed to Luella the importance of her patriotic duty, convincing her to correspond with her cousin, Lyman Mc Louth who was defending our freedoms overseas. For the following three and a half years, Luella and Lyman wrote to one another faithfully which created a strong bond between them. They discovered they shared much in common, and when Lyman returned home to the states following his honorable discharge, the two began dating after Luella introduced him to her mother.

Merely six months later and deeply in love, Luella and Lyman were happily married on June 28, 1946, at Trinity Reformed Church in Grand Rapids. They enjoyed a memorable honeymoon traveling around Lake Michigan and seeing the sights. Once home to begin their new lives together, Lyman set his sights on furthering his education through the GI Bill with Luella’s unending love and support. Before long they bought a home on Jones Street on the northwest side of Grand Rapids where they soon welcomed the births of their three wonderful children, Brad, Brian, and Brenda. They remained living on Jones Street for the next 25 years where Luella had many wonderful friends who always met for coffee once the kids were off to school.

Luella was in her element being a devoted wife and mother. She made a good home for Lyman and the kids, and she never ceased in placing their needs before her own. She could be strict, yet she was just as loving. Her strong-willed nature was a force to be reckoned with a time or two as her maternal instincts always had her kids guessing! A wonderful cook and baker, Luella graced her family with delicious meals, sweet treats, and her Sunday dinners were always a hit with specialties such as her beef roasts, chops, Swiss steak or lasagna. Her strawberry shortcake was especially a family favorite. She also canned a variety of fruits for her family to enjoy throughout the year.

Having raised their family in faith, Luella and Lyman were members of Fairview Reformed Church, and later, Orchard Hill Reformed Church. For the last five years, Luella made Standale Reformed Church her church home. Not only was faith important in their lives, but Luella and Lyman were involved in all aspects of their children’s lives. Their family was very active at their church where Luella helped and served in numerous ways and as a longtime member of the church choir.

Luella loved every moment spent with her family. Special times together included many family vacations they enjoyed over the years. Camping throughout Michigan was a big part of their lives, and every other year a big trip was enjoyed out west or other destinations in their travel trailer. They also took at least one trip to Traverse City each year.

In her free time, Luella enjoyed her love for reading, particularly Danielle Steele novels. She also loved needlepoint, and she crocheted many gifts for family and friends over the years. She found time to volunteer at the Christian Rest Home which came naturally to Luella and her giving heart.

When grandchildren came along, Luella was ever joyful. She loved them dearly and with ways all her own, she made them each feel special. Luella never missed any of their school or sporting events, birthdays or other special days. Lyman and Luella so enjoyed their company and they meant everything to them. They frequently babysat their grandkids and often treated them to overnights in their home. In 1973, Luella and Lyman moved to a house on Kingsberry Street, and later to another home on Jones Street where they continued to relish times spent enjoying family.

In 1983, Lyman retired and it offered them more time for travel. They traveled extensively throughout the U.S., and their involvement with Youth for Christ afforded them the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world such as Rio, Europe, the Holy Land, and the Netherlands. Other destinations included Australia, South America, and Egypt. They also began wintering at their home in Holiday, Florida. When the years began to catch up with them, Luella and Lyman sold their home in 2010 and moved to Edison Manor where they made many new friends.

When Luella’s beloved Lyman began experiencing health issues in 2011, she never left his side. Following his death on September 9, 2012, Luella missed him dearly but her strong faith, family and friends sustained her. Soon after she moved to assisted living at Edison Manor, and in May of 2016 she moved to the Christian Rest Home where she received needed nursing care. This past June she was placed under the care of Faith Hospice, and as her health began to diminish this last Friday, it wasn’t long before she would be reunited with her son, Brad and her loving husband, Lyman.

A special lady in the hearts and lives of all who knew and loved her, Luella Mc Louth was loved dearly and abundantly. Her caring and benevolent nature was a blessing in the lives of many, and her dedication to her unwavering faith, family, and friends will be long remembered.

Luella J. Mc Louth (Van Syoc), age 92 of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, to join her husband, Lyman and her son, Brad. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Jay (Jane) Van Syoc and Bud (Helen) Van Syoc. She is survived by her children, Brian Mc Louth and Brenda (Jim) Harris; daughter-in-law, Sylvia (David) Betz; grandchildren, Christine Betz, Shawn (Michele) Mc Louth, Zach Mc Louth, Brad Harris, Lauren (John) Harris, Matt (Jessica) Betz, and Kimberly (Austin) Callen; great-grandchildren, Shawn and Colton Mc Louth; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, many nieces, nephews, and friends. Her family wishes to thank the staff of Christian Rest Home and Faith Hospice for the love and care given to Luella and her family. A service to celebrate Luella’s life will be held on Friday, September 30, 2016, at Standale Reformed Church, 202 Cummings Ave. NW. Relatives and friends may meet her family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – 851 Leonard St. NW on Thursday from 6–8 PM and again at the church on Friday from 10:00 AM until the service begins at 11:00 AM. Burial in Rosedale Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Standale Reformed Church or Faith Hospice. To read more about Luella’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, please visit her webpage at www.lifestorynet.com.