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Iva Brus

November 1, 1938 - January 1, 2017
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, January 5, 2017
2:00 PM to 4:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Visitation

Thursday, January 5, 2017
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes
Van Strien Creston Chapel
1833 Plainfield Ave., N.E
Grand Rapids, MI 49505
(616) 361-2613
Driving Directions

Visitation

Friday, January 6, 2017
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM EST
Fourth Reformed Church
1226 Union Ave. NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Service

Friday, January 6, 2017
11:00 AM to 12:00 PM EST
Fourth Reformed Church
1226 Union Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

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.

Fourth Reformed Gems Program
1226 Union Ave NE
Grand Rapids, MI 49505

St. Jude's Children Hospital
501 St. Jude Place
Memphis, TN 38105

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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Iva Brus was a sweet sister, loving aunt, and caring friend. Never married, she was like a mother to her many nieces and nephews. A crafty person by nature, Iva loved to crochet, make banners for her church community, and always made special afghans for any newborns joining the family. A lifelong member of the Fourth Reformed Church where she remarkably served her faith community for fifty-eight years, Iva’s gift of founding the young girls’ Clavinet program will be fondly remembered. She spent many years developing the program and worked tirelessly to make it successful. Iva leaves behind a legacy of being generous and always having a special place in her heart for those in need. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by countless friends and family.

In the year 1938, Orson Welles's radio adaptation of The War of the Worlds is broadcast, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs held its Hollywood premiere, and the New England area was hit with a raging hurricane across the Atlantic Ocean. In Grand Rapids, Michigan John W. and Della (Zoodsma) Brus welcomed home their newborn daughter, Iva, born on November 1st. Her birth brought much happiness to the family home.

Growing up, her father, John owned and operated the Tasty Sandwich Service and her mother, Della was a homemaker. The second born into a family of six children, they made their home at 1313 Ford Street NE and attended Christian school. With limited resources left over for vacations, the family often traveled north to the Cadillac area to visit relatives. Taking advantage of the wealth of outdoor opportunities available in the summer months, they mainly enjoyed swimming and fishing. Iva was especially fond of fishing, a pastime that remained with her for many years. Graduating from Grand Rapids Christian High with the Class of 1956, Iva excelled in many musical instruments including the clarinet, the organ, and the piano. For many years in her adult life, Iva enjoyed playing a full-size organ in her home. While growing up, she helped out making sandwiches in the family business before securing an office position with Cook Coffee Company. By her late twenties, she landed her thirty-four-year career with the National Nail Packaging Company before successfully retiring in 2000.

Iva held many special talents and interests over the years. She was an avid reader of just about any genre. She also enjoyed a large variety of music, but especially enjoyed the Big Band era, orchestras, and church hymns. Iva also owned a nice collection of ceramic dogs which she displayed in her home. Tending to the flower gardens that surrounded her home was perhaps her greatest source of relaxation. She could often be found outdoors planting, weeding, or watering her latest additions or cutting some to bring indoors. She didn’t much like cooking and survived primarily on her favorite foods of pizza, chips, and Pepsi. She did, however, master the recipe of delicious banana bread which became her specialty. When she wasn’t helping out at church or lending a hand to a friend in need, Iva enjoyed many years of travel with her special friend, Marlene. They enjoyed visiting the World’s Fair as well as the beautiful states of California, Florida, Tennessee and the tropical Bahama Islands. Iva was a stranger to none and a friend to all making many lasting relationships over the years. Despite her challenges with diabetes, she never lost her trust in her faith. Iva leaves behind a wonderful collection of special memories for all who knew and loved her.

Iva Harriet Brus passed away into the arms of the Lord on January 1, 2017 after a long courageous battle with diabetes. She is preceded in death by her father, William; mother, Della Brus; step-mother, Florence Brus; brother, William; sister-in-law, Mary Brus; and life-long friend, Marlene Pater. She leaves behind her brothers, Henry (Elga) Brus; Al (Fran) Brus; and Larry (Candy) Brus; a sister, Marty (Bill) Pyper; and a sister-in-law, Evie Brus. Iva was also blessed with additional siblings: sisters, Mary (Ron) Wybenga; Kathleen Springfield; brothers, Jim (Kate) Datema; and Joel (Deb) Datema. Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 5, from 2-4 and 7-9 at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield NE and one hour prior to the funeral service at Fourth Reformed Church, 1226 Union Ave NE on Friday January 6, from 10-11 with the service starting at 11:00 AM. Contributions in memory of Iva to Fourth Reformed Gems Program, 1226 Union Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI or St Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St Jude Place, Memphis TN 38105 are appreciated. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign her guest book. The family would like to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Vista Springs Riverside for all they have done, not only Iva but for their family as well. A special thanks to Corbert for all the help and incredible care he gave to Iva.

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