DeBoer, Gertrude Grand Rapids, MI

Gertrude (Hekman) DeBoer, age 93, of Grand Rapids, MI died peacefully in her sleep at home on Sunday, November 27, 2016. She was a devoted follower of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Gertrude, born in Ripon CA, was the youngest of thirteen children born to Roelf Hekman and Antje (Van Heukelem) Hekman between 1905 and 1923. She was preceded in death by her parents; siblings; and husband of 64 years, Willis (Bill) DeBoer; and great-grandchild, Lauren Warner.

After working at an airplane engine factory in New Jersey during WWII, Gertrude returned to Calvin College and graduated in 1947 with a degree in Social Work. She worked at the Bethany Home for Unwed Mothers while Bill finished Calvin Seminary. They were married in 1950 and began a life together of adventure, travel, and service. Bill's ministry took them to Washington D.C., Bradenton/St. Petersburg, FL, and Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 1957 to 1961 where Bill received his PhD at the Free University. They returned to Grand Rapids and Bill became a Religion and Theology professor at Calvin College, a post he held until 1987. During these years, Gertrude worked at home as a wonderful wife and mother to her five children as well as volunteering for countless school and church service projects. She loved to garden and looked forward to planting time each spring. As the children left home, Gertrude worked as the school librarian for Oakdale Christian School until her retirement in 1987. After retirement, the two of them set out to explore North American in a VW camper and visited all fifty states. They also visited daughter, Patricia, in Japan and Laos, and took Calvin study trips to Israel, Greece, and Turkey.

Gertrude is survived by her five children, Sandra Bode (Donald) of Cadillac, MI, Kathleen DeBoer (Mark Pittman) of Lexington, KY, Patricia DeBoer (Stuart Henderson) of Philadelphia, PA, Philip DeBoer (Laurie) of Menomonie, WI, and Stephen DeBoer of Columbus, OH; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law, Eleanor Zwier, Mary DeBoer, and Gertrude Hekman; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

A special thank you to Faith Hospice and Visiting Angels for all the wonderful help and care. A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, Dec. 21, 1:00 PM, at Raybrook Manor Chapel (2121 Raybrook St. SE). The family will meet with friends and relatives on Tuesday, Dec. 20, from 6-8 PM at Zaagman Memorial Chapel (2800 Burton St. SE), as well as one hour prior to the service on Wednesday, from 12:00-1:00 PM at Raybrook. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given to the Willis & Gertrude Scholarship Fund at Calvin College.
Published in Grand Rapids Press on Nov. 29, 2016