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Helene <I>Styf</I> Schreur

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Helene Styf Schreur

Birth
Rusk, Ottawa County, Michigan, USA
Death
10 Mar 2009 (aged 97)
Holland, Ottawa County, Michigan, USA
Burial
Holland, Ottawa County, Michigan, USA Add to Map
Plot
PH-2-C-00139-013
Memorial ID
View Source
LIFE STORY:
To Helene Schreur, life was not about achievements, material possessions, or accolades but about dedication to her Lord and Savior and loving devotion to her family. Helene viewed each day as a precious gift made just for her and an opportunity to genuinely love those around her with the kind of love talked about on the pages of her Bible. Helene was rather quiet and reserved by nature but her life was an outspoken reflection of a woman filled with faith and compassion for the entire world to see.

The decade of the 1910's were a period of great reform and unrest in our nation as labor unions continued to grow as the middle class became more and more unhappy. Gerrit and Mary Styf, of Rusk, Michigan were able to shift their focus to a more joyous time within their own family, however, as Mary was due to give birth to their first child at any time. They were indeed blessed on October 2, 1911 with the healthy birth of their daughter, Helene. Born as the oldest of three children, Helene lived in the rural area of Rusk, located just outside of Holland until she was ten, at which time her family moved into the city of Holland. Her family lived on 16th street and Columbia and her mother stayed home with the children while her father supported his family through his work at the Holland Furnace Company.

From a very early age, faith became a cornerstone in Helene's life and she and her family were members of a church in Rusk until they moved to Holland and joined Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church. As a student, Helene attended Holland Public Schools where she learned a variety of skills that would aid her throughout her entire lifetime. Helene unfortunately learned early that life is not always easy when her mother died when Helene was only 18 years old. Brighter days were soon around the corner for Helene, however.

One fateful Sunday, Helene met a delightful man named John Schreur while she was walking home from church and this introduction would forever change the course of Helene's life. A romance soon ensued and the two fell deeply in love and were later united in marriage on March 28, 1931. The couple was soon blessed with the births of six children of their own. One of the things that was most important to Helene and John as parents was that they pass their faith on to their children and as a result, they worshipped as a family at Helene's home church of Central Avenue. Helene embraced her role as a mother, filling her children with her unconditional love, always making sure that they each felt cherished in their own special way.

There are some attributes that were unique to Helene that helped make her the person that her family and friends knew and loved. She was a gifted seamstress who always made clothes for her husband and children and Helene enjoyed crocheting and knitting as well. Helene was an accomplished cook who poured herself into the scrumptious dishes she lovingly prepared for her family. She was especially famous for her beef roast on Sundays; it seemed you could smell the mouth-watering aroma before you even arrived home and it was perfectly accompanied by her equally tasty mashed potatoes. Helene also made the best vegetable beef soup and was also known for her Rusk crust cream pies as well. Helene also worked at the JC Penney Company in downtown Holland for over 25 years.

When she had leisure time, there were some interests that Helene managed to find time to pursue. She was an avid and talented bowler who had an average over 150, managing to stay active well into her later years. Helene enjoyed playing both board games and card games, keeping her mind active as well. Helene stayed involved in her church too and attended the ladies aid there, her faith always a vital part of her life. She often liked to brighten her spirits by watching the hilarious antics of the I Love Lucy show on television.

Life drastically changed for Helene in 1984 when her beloved husband John died and as a result, she moved to Waverly Meadows, a retirement community located in Holland. Initially, Helene was a bit unsure of whether she would adjust to life there, but it ended up being a great change for Helene and she truly thrived while she was there. It proved to be a great fit and provided her with the opportunity to come out of her shell as she became involved in various activities there. Helene was thankful for the pleasant retirement years that she experienced during her residence at Waverly Meadows.

Helene Schreur was an extraordinary woman to whom teaching her children to love the Lord was of the utmost importance, a feat she was most proud to accomplish. Helene embraced each day she was given, enjoying both the peaks and valleys along life's journey. She was a woman with many gifts and talents who often shared the benefits of these attributes with others and she was a member of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church for nearly 90 years. Helene often set aside her own needs to tend to the needs of others and she spent her lifetime making precious memories which will be forever cherished by all those who knew and loved her. Helene leaves behind a legacy of love and faith which will forever stand the test of time. She will be deeply missed.

Helene Schreur, of Holland, MI died on March 10, 2009 at Providence Health Care of Zeeland. Helene's family includes her children, Myra (Ron) Van Kuiken of Jamestown, Lois Kleinjan of Holland, John (Martha) Schreur of Portage, Ivan (Ruth) Schreur of St. Petersburg, Fl , Alan (Gwen) Schreur of King of Prussia, PA;, 24 grandchildren; several great & great great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Helene was preceded in death by her son Paul and his wife Margaret, sons-in-law Bill Simpson and Matt Kleinjan, daughter-in-law Pat Schreur, grandson Richard Schreur, and siblings: Fannie & Bud Alpers, and Arnold and Angie Styf. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on March 14, 2009 at The Central Ave CRC Church #1 Graves Place in Holland, MI with the Rev. James Scholten and John Hutt officiating. Burial will be in the Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visit with Helene's family and friends from 4-7 p.m. on Friday March 13, 2009 at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes - Mulder Chapel - Holland, MI, 188 West 32nd Street. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign Helene's online registry, share a photo, or make a memorial contribution to the Providence Health Care of Zeeland 285 N. State Street Zeeland, MI or to Hospice of Holland 270 Hoover Blvd. Holland, MI.
LIFE STORY:
To Helene Schreur, life was not about achievements, material possessions, or accolades but about dedication to her Lord and Savior and loving devotion to her family. Helene viewed each day as a precious gift made just for her and an opportunity to genuinely love those around her with the kind of love talked about on the pages of her Bible. Helene was rather quiet and reserved by nature but her life was an outspoken reflection of a woman filled with faith and compassion for the entire world to see.

The decade of the 1910's were a period of great reform and unrest in our nation as labor unions continued to grow as the middle class became more and more unhappy. Gerrit and Mary Styf, of Rusk, Michigan were able to shift their focus to a more joyous time within their own family, however, as Mary was due to give birth to their first child at any time. They were indeed blessed on October 2, 1911 with the healthy birth of their daughter, Helene. Born as the oldest of three children, Helene lived in the rural area of Rusk, located just outside of Holland until she was ten, at which time her family moved into the city of Holland. Her family lived on 16th street and Columbia and her mother stayed home with the children while her father supported his family through his work at the Holland Furnace Company.

From a very early age, faith became a cornerstone in Helene's life and she and her family were members of a church in Rusk until they moved to Holland and joined Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church. As a student, Helene attended Holland Public Schools where she learned a variety of skills that would aid her throughout her entire lifetime. Helene unfortunately learned early that life is not always easy when her mother died when Helene was only 18 years old. Brighter days were soon around the corner for Helene, however.

One fateful Sunday, Helene met a delightful man named John Schreur while she was walking home from church and this introduction would forever change the course of Helene's life. A romance soon ensued and the two fell deeply in love and were later united in marriage on March 28, 1931. The couple was soon blessed with the births of six children of their own. One of the things that was most important to Helene and John as parents was that they pass their faith on to their children and as a result, they worshipped as a family at Helene's home church of Central Avenue. Helene embraced her role as a mother, filling her children with her unconditional love, always making sure that they each felt cherished in their own special way.

There are some attributes that were unique to Helene that helped make her the person that her family and friends knew and loved. She was a gifted seamstress who always made clothes for her husband and children and Helene enjoyed crocheting and knitting as well. Helene was an accomplished cook who poured herself into the scrumptious dishes she lovingly prepared for her family. She was especially famous for her beef roast on Sundays; it seemed you could smell the mouth-watering aroma before you even arrived home and it was perfectly accompanied by her equally tasty mashed potatoes. Helene also made the best vegetable beef soup and was also known for her Rusk crust cream pies as well. Helene also worked at the JC Penney Company in downtown Holland for over 25 years.

When she had leisure time, there were some interests that Helene managed to find time to pursue. She was an avid and talented bowler who had an average over 150, managing to stay active well into her later years. Helene enjoyed playing both board games and card games, keeping her mind active as well. Helene stayed involved in her church too and attended the ladies aid there, her faith always a vital part of her life. She often liked to brighten her spirits by watching the hilarious antics of the I Love Lucy show on television.

Life drastically changed for Helene in 1984 when her beloved husband John died and as a result, she moved to Waverly Meadows, a retirement community located in Holland. Initially, Helene was a bit unsure of whether she would adjust to life there, but it ended up being a great change for Helene and she truly thrived while she was there. It proved to be a great fit and provided her with the opportunity to come out of her shell as she became involved in various activities there. Helene was thankful for the pleasant retirement years that she experienced during her residence at Waverly Meadows.

Helene Schreur was an extraordinary woman to whom teaching her children to love the Lord was of the utmost importance, a feat she was most proud to accomplish. Helene embraced each day she was given, enjoying both the peaks and valleys along life's journey. She was a woman with many gifts and talents who often shared the benefits of these attributes with others and she was a member of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church for nearly 90 years. Helene often set aside her own needs to tend to the needs of others and she spent her lifetime making precious memories which will be forever cherished by all those who knew and loved her. Helene leaves behind a legacy of love and faith which will forever stand the test of time. She will be deeply missed.

Helene Schreur, of Holland, MI died on March 10, 2009 at Providence Health Care of Zeeland. Helene's family includes her children, Myra (Ron) Van Kuiken of Jamestown, Lois Kleinjan of Holland, John (Martha) Schreur of Portage, Ivan (Ruth) Schreur of St. Petersburg, Fl , Alan (Gwen) Schreur of King of Prussia, PA;, 24 grandchildren; several great & great great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Helene was preceded in death by her son Paul and his wife Margaret, sons-in-law Bill Simpson and Matt Kleinjan, daughter-in-law Pat Schreur, grandson Richard Schreur, and siblings: Fannie & Bud Alpers, and Arnold and Angie Styf. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on March 14, 2009 at The Central Ave CRC Church #1 Graves Place in Holland, MI with the Rev. James Scholten and John Hutt officiating. Burial will be in the Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visit with Helene's family and friends from 4-7 p.m. on Friday March 13, 2009 at Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes - Mulder Chapel - Holland, MI, 188 West 32nd Street. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to sign Helene's online registry, share a photo, or make a memorial contribution to the Providence Health Care of Zeeland 285 N. State Street Zeeland, MI or to Hospice of Holland 270 Hoover Blvd. Holland, MI.


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