Maymie Rietkerk

Maymie Rietkerk was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and loyal friend to all who knew her. She lived her life serving others and was richly blessed with an abundant family. Widowed for more than fifty years, Maymie was content during her years as a single woman. No one seemed to measure up to her Bernadus. Known for her hospitality and her delicious baked goods and special dinners, she will be greatly missed and eternally loved by all.

Between the years of 1918 to 1919, the influenza pandemic infected roughly one-third of the planet’s population. At the tail end of the Progressive Era, it was a time of widespread social activism and political reform. During the first World War, it was a period of determination to eliminate government corruption. During those challenging years, Harry and Myrtle (Bloye) Marlatt welcomed home their precious baby girl, Maymie on September 8, 1919, in Welland, Ontario. Born the eldest of six children, her birth was a sign of much promise and happiness to her family.

After moving all over Canada as a young child, Maymie moved to Michigan at the tender age of seven. Her father was a self-employed painter and wallpaper hanger. Sadly, when she was nearly ten years old, Maymie’s mother, Myrtle, passed away. Harry remarried by the time Maymie was a young teen to Frances May. Together, they had one child, Harry Jr. who was Maymie’s half brother. As an adolescent, she rode a city bus to attend Kalamazoo Central High School where she enjoyed playing softball. She and her girlfriend, Dorothy also loved to play golf and were known to play with clubs that the owner would leave out on the course for them! Ambitious and self-motivated, after graduating high school in 1938, she worked as a receptionist at the office of Dr. Fuller.

Maymie enjoyed going out and socializing after work and one night while watching a local band play, she stayed to talk to the guitarist afterward. Bernardus, who was nine years older than her stole her heart when he stood up to Maymie’s protective father. From that moment on, she knew he was the man for her. They married in the front room of her parent’s home in 1942. Settling down in an apartment on Kalamazoo’s northside on Douglas Avenue, they started their family of three children. Maymie was no stranger to hard work and pitching in to support their growing family. When Bernardus and his nephew had bought a block plant, Maymie was not above making the blocks! During the day while the kids were in school, she was also known to drive the block truck. Several times over the years she looked forward to vacationing with the family back to Canada to visit her family. During their lean years of raising their family, they also enjoyed spending at least one weekend each year visiting a friend’s farm in Indiana.

Maymie held many special interests over the years. On Friday nights, she was known to host company over to play cards. She would often spend the entire day prepping the house and baking all day! Maymie kept a tidy home and loved to sew and crochet. For relaxation, she enjoyed going fishing and catching a golf match on television. Known to be was feisty yet had a heart of gold, Maymie lived a life of always putting others first, especially her family. She sincerely loved her grandkids and great grandkids and spent many years making wonderful memories with each of them. Her love of life and warm personality will be fondly remembered for generations to come.

Maymie Olive Rietkerk, passed away Thursday evening at home in Plainwell, Michigan. Many will remember her as the receptionist/vet assistant at the Plainwell Pet Clinic. The owner of Siamese cats herself, she worked there from 1970 to 1985 sharing her love of animals with many in the community. In 1976, Maymie proudly went thru the process to become a naturalized citizen of the USA. She loved being able to finally vote in our nation's elections. Maymie is survived by one brother; George Marlatt of Kalamazoo, and two sisters, Ethel (Al) Folk of Plainwell and Cecelia Miller of South Dakota. She is also survived by her children; Rozann (Danny) Osborn, Douglas (Pamela) Rietkerk of Minnesota, daughter in laws Darline Rietkerk and Kay Watson. Her grandchildren; Joyce (David) Amato of Arizona, Steven Osborn, Greg (Patti Callum) Osborn, Ceili Robinson, Anneke (Mark) Riess of Minnesota, Liesl Rietkerk of Hawaii, Sarah Austin of Kalamazoo, Clayton Rietkerk of Plainwell, Tamara Dressler of Kalamazoo, Rebecca (Erik) Colwell of Plainwell. Great grandchildren; Morgan Dailey, Kaitlyn Watson, Asher Riess, Ashley, Nathan, and Ashton Yablonsky, James and Michael, Genevieve and Isabella Colwell. Maymie was preceded in death by her husband; Bernardus (Bill) Rietkerk, Her parents, Harry and Myrtle Marlatt, Stepmother Frances (Honeywell) Marlatt, Brothers; Howard, Clarence, and Harry Marlatt, her son, Roger Rietkerk and a granddaughter, Diane Osborn. Visit with her family and friends and view her life story film on Wednesday, June 21 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Life Story Marshall-Gren Funeral Home, Plainwell; 120 Woodhams St. (685-5881). Her funeral will be held on Thursday, June 22 at 11:00 a.m. at the same location. Memorial donations can be made to Wings of Hope Hospice of Allegan.