Yvonne Tien

Yvonne Ruth Tien hiked her way to heaven on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. Having been surrounded and loved on by her family, Yvonne left this world with a full heart knowing she was a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandma, sister, sister-in-law and aunt.

Yvonne will be greatly missed and eternally loved by her family; daughter, Sally (Robert) VanEck, their children Meghan (Peter) Cappon, Calvin (Katie) VanEck, Madelyn (Michael) Cox, Anderson VanEck and her son, Jonathon Scott Tien from Belen, New Mexico. She was overjoyed with her great grandchildren: Wesley and Xavi Cappon, by marriage, Leah, Jack and Ruby Armstrong, Llewellyn, Nelson and Coen Cox, and Octavius and Cassius VanEck. She also leaves behind her beloved brother, Steve (Charlene) DeLoof and her precious sister-in-law, Sandra Billett.

Born to Harold and Evelyn DeLoof on October 22, 1930, in Holland, Michigan, she spent wonderful days in the midst of close family and a tight community. She often shared memories of simpler times riding high on her grandfather’s shoulders and receiving an annual jar of coins collected by her grandmother. She attended Holland High School and then graduated from Hope College with her degree in Elementary Education. Later, while living and teaching in Kalamazoo, Yvonne was instrumental in bringing Head Start to the area, especially in the income depressed area of the city where she taught. Yvonne eventually received her master’s degree in Special Education from Western Michigan University.

Soon after graduating from Hope, Yvonne married John Tien and began a career in early education while John completed seminary training. They then served together in several churches in Illinois and Michigan. They eventually returned to the church of their childhood, First Reformed Church of Holland as happy retirees.

Along the way Yvonne faced many challenges. Being introverted and a pastor’s wife isn’t always the easiest combination. Over time she found her footing and was able to establish who she was in this position without losing her own self – quiet determination. She and John also soon discovered they were unable to bear children, and without much pause, Yvonne pursued adoption. They ended up adopting three children, all arriving with the scars on their little lives. In the two older children, extreme neglect in their birth home bruised their lives, and in them all, separation from their birth mother left lifelong issues. She took on to herself the wounds these children brought with them and did her very best to help them heal and to love them fiercely – dogged determination and unfathomable love.

Having done their best to raise these children, Yvonne and John supported several organizations which she gave 150% to their cause; Cran-Hill Ranch, Hope College, The West Michigan Ronald McDonald House, AMBUCS, and many more. Together, Yvonne and John supported these groups financially as well as with countless hours in sweat equity.

Dearly loving travel and having visited many countries in the world, Yvonne’s absolute favorite place was a campsite on the side of a Colorado Rocky Mountain with a fire crackling and her family nearby. Later, her heaven on earth was being able to spend time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even in her last days, her first question was always about the wellbeing of these kids, followed by, “So many boys!”. She was known as Gramma Great, and she filled that title with a deep and abiding joy. She never imagined this kind of abundance and for it, she was always grateful. This spirit of adventure, her never-give-up attitude, her great love and faith continues to flow through the lives of Yvonne’s family.

Celebration of her life will occur on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. and immediately followed by a service at 11 a.m. All will occur at Dykstra Funeral Home- Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to Cran-Hill Ranch or a charity of one’s choice. A luncheon for family and friends will occur after the service at Sally and Bob VanEck’s home in Grandville.