Roline Van Dop

A model of faithfulness and compassion, Roline Van Dop made a significant impact in the lives of everyone she met. She was never one to worry about anything, rather, she took her concerns, her sorrows, and her joys to the Lord in prayer. Blessed to share the majority of her life with her true love, Roline cherished nothing more than witnessing their family tree blossom to include numerous branches of loved ones who were her greatest source of pride and joy. Her family and friends would agree that her skills in the kitchen were fantastic. Although life will never be the same without Roline here, she leaves behind a priceless collection of memories that will be forever treasured.

The 1920s were a colorful time in American history. Sometimes recalled as the Roaring Twenties, jazz was hot, ballroom dancing kept couples on the dance floor until the wee hours of the morning, and the lights of Broadway never shined brighter. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1926 when Ray and Wilma (Ross) Harkness were eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby as the promise of spring appeared on the horizon in Muskegon, Michigan, in 1926. The big day finally arrived when the baby girl they named Roline drew her first breath on March 14th. She was the older of two children and was raised in the family home alongside her younger brother, Bob with whom she was very close throughout her life. Roline was also very close to her Aunt Bertha. In Muskegon, Roline attended local schools including Muskegon High School where she enjoyed singing and music in general.

After graduating from high school in the mid-forties, Roline found work as a receptionist in a local doctor's office. It was her personal life that became very exciting during this time, however, since it was while attending Eastlawn Reformed Church that Roline was introduced to the man of her dreams. His name was Adrian Van Dop, and sparks flew right from the start. They began dating and soon found themselves deeply in love. With a desire to establish a life together, Roline and Adrian were united in marriage on August 27, 1948. As a young newlywed, Adrian finished school in Big Rapids and then went to Tennessee to earn his masters degree.

Although Roline didn’t go with him to Tennessee, they were reunited when he returned, settling in Yale, Michigan. There, they welcomed the first of three children when Bruce was born. The Van Dop family of three later moved to Grand Rapids where the family was completed with the births of two additional children, Dennis and Mary. Roline was a wonderful wife, mother, and homemaker whose home was always immaculately clean. In fact, it has been said that she could always find something that needed cleaning, and she also ironed everything as well. As a mother, Roline made sure that her children had a firm knowledge of her expectations. Roline made a home cooked meal for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and everything she made was fantastic and healthy. Saturdays often found Roline baking cookies and pies while listening to WFUR on the radio. Although she was almost always on the go, when she did sit down she was usually doing something like sewing or mending, knitting, or crocheting. Many of the things she made, Roline generously gave away.

Throughout her life Roline pursued a variety of different interests that she loved. She and Adrian were a social couple with much of their social life being based on their church family, but they did have a few close friends from their college years, too. Roline especially loved meeting with the ladies circle from church. When Mary was young, she taught sewing in Mary’s 4-H club. Although Adrian was a reluctant traveler, Roline was able to encourage him along, and as a family they enjoyed traveled to many states. They even went on a trip to Europe! She loved birds and had bird feeders for her feathered friends. Roline never did mind when the squirrels found a way to get in since she always said that they needed to eat, too. Adrian started giving her a bird figurine each year, and she ended up with an extensive collection.

Roline loved being a mother, but she just may have argued that being a grandmother was her greatest reward. When her grandchildren were young she loved taking them to the zoo, and as they got older she was often doing some kind of craft with them. Roline was especially partial to the baby stage as she loved holding her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren later in life. She was there to support them in all their events, and who could forget Roline’s Easter egg hunts! Roline looked forward to having everyone over for a huge buffet on Christmas, too. As someone who enjoyed crafts, she gave each grandchild some of the items she made, and although she loved to shop, Roline also loved to return things!

As the years went by, Roline continued living fully. She and Adrian enjoyed spending their sunset years together, and they had the most amazing marriage. Just over two years ago, Roline was deeply saddened with his death. She continued living in her home for about a year before moving to Covenant Village, making the adjustment without complaint and always wearing a smile.

All who knew Roline Van Dop would agree that she was such an inspiration. She was a model of faithfulness and compassion, and she exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord she loved through the choices she made each day. Quick to pray instead of worry, Roline covered her family in prayer every day. It was easy to see that she was married to her best friend, and her legacy of faith, unconditional love, and selfless service to others will be her lasting legacy.

Mrs. Roline Van Dop, age 89 of Grand Rapids, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on September 3, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, Adrian. Roline is survived by their children Bruce and Nina Van Dop, Dennis Van Dop and Kim Watrous; Mary and Larry Hoogerhyde; grandchildren (and great grandchildren) Jonathan & Darcy Van Dop (Nicholas Adrian), Elizabeth and Mike McDaniel (Jacob and Grace), Dave and Amanda Tague (Madison and Hayden), Katie and Clint Soden (Katelyn), Danielle and Ken De Nise (Joey and Jordan), Daniel Van Dop, Teddi and Brian McEachern (Kelsey, Brandon and Trevor), Steven and Erin Hall (Peyton and Sophia), Scott and Trisha Hall (Brody, Kedzie and Campbell), Steven and Christy Hoogerhyde and Jennifer Wilson (Macey and Emery); brother, Robert (Betty) Harkness; nieces and nephews Betty (Larry) Duiser, Amy (Dan) Dobb, David Harkness; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law Cora Hendrick; Bill (Yvonne) Van Dop, Henry (Carol) Van Dop, John (Millie) Nummerdor, Mae Nummerdor and Pat Nummerdor. She was a longtime member of West Leonard Christian Reformed Church where her funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 9 at 2 PM and friends are invited to visit with her family on at the church from 1 PM until the service. For those who wish, memorial contributions to West Leonard CRC are appreciated. To read more about his life, to share a memory or to sign the guestbook, please visit www.lifestorynet.com