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Phyllis Jean Seekman

September 24, 1934 - March 15, 2019
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Wednesday, March 20, 2019
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Service

Thursday, March 21, 2019
1:00 PM EDT
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel
2120 Lake Michigan Dr., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 453-8263
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Special Olympics of Michigan Area 11
1239 76th Street SW, Suite E
Byron Center, MI 49315
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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A kind, fun, and faith-filled woman, Phyllis Seekman lived a rich and rewarding life while holding her loved ones near.

It was during the harsh days of the Great Depression that Glenn and Lena (Larson) Seekman announced the birth of the baby girl they named Phyllis Jean on September 24, 1934. She was the second of four children as she was raised in the family home on Richards Street, NW, alongside her siblings, Ben, Larry, and Janice. Her father worked as a milkman while her mother was a homemaker and factory worker. Phyllis loved ice skating and was in many plays as she was in the drama club at Union High School after having attended Stocking Elementary. As a family they attended Valley Avenue Methodist Church.

After graduating from high school in 1952, Phyllis was eager for all that life had in store. She took a job as a secretary at Hooker Motor Freight, and she then had several other jobs before settling in as an assembly worker at General Motors Fisher Body Plant on Alpine Avenue until retiring after 25 years. Phyllis was a staunch UAW Union supporter who attended many union meetings for her local #1231. She was also a staunch Democrat as she volunteered on many Democratic fund raisers. Phyllis was blessed with the birth of her daughter, Deb. Phyllis was proud to become a mother and as family they enjoyed going swimming and camping every summer. Phyllis managed to work full time and never missed any of her school activities. Phyllis was also a member of Godwin Heights Sports Boosters. She was loved and adored by many of Deb’s class mates and friends. She earned the name of Ma from many. Phyllis was a member of Wesley Park United Methodists Church. In 1998 Phyllis became mother in law to Ken, she loved him as her own son. Later, she was thrilled to become a proud grandmother to her granddaughter, Lena. She was her pride and joy. Anyone that heard Phyllis speak knew about her Lena. It was Phyllis’s top priority to make memories with Lena and attend all events while she was able to. Phyllis also had many framed pictures of her family including her nieces and nephews throughout her house.

Social and outgoing, Phyllis was a woman of many interests who had several friends. She loved bowling and was on the GM bowling league, the “Fisherett’s,” for many years. Talented, Phyllis attended many national tournaments all across the country. She loved playing Bingo and calling bingo for Fisher Body retirees UAW and also frequented the casinos. Phyllis loved dancing the polka and always attended many halls on the WestSide for Pulaski Days. She often power shopped with her friends, and she collected both Precious Moments figurines and Cat’s Meow Village pieces.Every Christmas Phyllis had her home filled with many Christmas decorations and loved to give Christmas ornaments as gifts. Phyllis loved her ice cream and made fantastic meatloaf and tuna casserole. She crocheted many afghans, potholders, hats, and other various gifts for family and friends. Phyllis always had a book in her hand and particularly loved reading romance novels. She enjoyed shows like Carol Burnett and Hawaii Five-0 as well as the Hallmark Channel. Even after suffering a stroke 10 years ago that left her using a walker, Phyllis did her best to continue with the things she enjoyed.

All who knew Phyllis Seekman would agree that she was truly beautiful on the inside and out. She was fun and always snorted when she laughed, and she had a zest for life that was contagious. Phyllis was happiest when she was able to do things for others. Phyllis will be forever missed.

Phyllis Jean Seekman, aged 84 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Friday morning, March 15, 2019 at Edison Christian Health Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Lena Seekman, and her sister-in-law, Shirley Seekman. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Deb and Ken Van Den Berg; her granddaughter, Lena Van Den Berg; her brothers and sister, Ben Seekman, Larry (Margaret) Seekman and Jan (Tom Woodworth) Sharp; many nieces, nephews and friends. Phyllis retired from General Motors Fisher Body where she worked for 25 years. She bowled for many years on the “Fischerett’s” bowling league. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. A service to celebrate Phyllis’s life will be held on Thursday, March 21, at 1:00 pm at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Burial in Rosedale Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Contributions in her memory may be made to Special Olympics of Michigan . To read more about Phyllis’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

Phyllis Jean Seekman, aged 84 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Friday morning, March 15, 2019 at Edison Christian Health Center. She was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn and Lena Seekman, and her sister-in-law, Shirley Seekman. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Deb and Ken Van Den Berg; her granddaughter, Lena Van Den Berg; her brothers and sister, Ben Seekman, Larry (Margaret) Seekman and Jan (Tom Woodworth) Sharp; many nieces, nephews and friends. Phyllis retired from General Motors Fisher Body where she worked for 25 years. She bowled for many years on the “Fischerett’s” bowling league. She was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and a friend to all who knew her. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered. A service to celebrate Phyllis’s life will be held on Thursday, March 21, at 1:00 pm at Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Burial in Rosedale Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Wednesday evening from 6:00 – 8:00 pm. Contributions in her memory may be made to Special Olympics of Michigan . To read more about Phyllis’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.

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