It's so hard to believe it's been three years since sweet Lil went to be with the angels. I know she is missed tremendously, but she is with her beloved husband, and we'll all see her again one day. God bless.

I came to know Lillian at Robbinswood Assisted Living, when I came as a Eucharistic Visitor. She was always so pleasant and would participate in our service we had each week. She will be missed. May God welcome her in to His Kingdom for her devoted life. Amen.

We knew Lil from her friendship with Nellie Rapolevich. Nellie got to know Lil from her friendship with her sister Rose. Once Rose passed away, Lil filled the gap. Both Rose and Lil were loyal friends to Nell and great ladies to know.

We send you much Love, and many thanks for ALL you and Dad gifted us, by showing Love..
Love, Gloria and Dennis
God Speed, to you and ALL we have Loved..
Gloria and Dennis


  I feel blessed to call you “Mom.”
     You had me when you were 40, and welcomed me with open arms and heart. You always worried how I would feel having the oldest mom in my group of classmates and friends.
     I felt proud. I felt honored. I felt loved.
     You seemed so much wiser and more experienced than those young moms, some who looked like they could still be in school (or detention hall) themselves.
     I came from a place of deep wisdom, deep spiritual strength and dedication.
     I had so much fun with you growing up – swimming and playing water volleyball at Payne Lake, water skiing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling on the family farm, sledding down the big hill out back, mushrooming and traveling with Grandma and Aunt Rosie and watching you rejoice in your time with friends and family.
     You always loved. Deeply. I admired your friendships. You listened well and somehow knew just the right thing to say to people – in a genuine way.
     As I listened to people reflect on their memories of you at last night's visitation, I came to know even more what I suspected all along – I had one very special Mom. So many said you were one of the kindest, selfless people they had ever known. They shared stories, some silly, some sentimental. But a common theme threaded throughout – you supported, you encouraged, you believed in people – for who they were, and not who others may have wanted them to be.
     You had an unmatched grace that carried you through life, even into your final days. Not an easy journey, for sure, but you walked gracefully through it.
     Jill, Lainey and I feel honored to have been by your side through it all.
     When we lose a loved one, we must learn not to live without them, but to live peacefully and gratefully with the love and memories they left behind.
     You left much love in your wake, Mom. The ripples extend far, and reach wide. We are all blessed...Because of  you.
     Love always,
     Marie

We remember Lil as a kind and loving person; probably the best friend of our sister Barb Roofstra.   We enjoyed many times with Lil and Dick on Knapp Street.  She will definitely be missed.  

Our condolences to the Havenga family, on the loss of your dear mother/grandmother, Lillian.  We have many  sweet memories of her throughout the years. And what a faithful friend she was to mother Lena.  Wishing God's peace and comfort to all. 
Mike & Josie Detmers

Well, hard to believe such a legend of love, friendship, and kindness to all has been sent to heaven to join up with Dad, Aunt Rosie, Uncle Leo, Aunt Ada, Uncle Pete, cousin David,  Grandma and Grandpa Draugalis, Uncle Bill and Aunt Donna, Grandma and Grandpa Havenga, and Margerite, and a special welcome from her grandson Aaron Havenga.  And so many friends who were the lucky recipients of her generosity and kindness.  Mom was truly loved by so many.  Her family loved her so much, and appreciated her love in return. Thanks to all for your kindness  and love over the many years.  Mom is now enjoying the greatest reunion imaginable!

Congratulations Lillian on an amazing 98 year life,  lived to the fullest! 

You always treated me as one of your own and I feel honored to have been able to share the last 20 years of your journey. 

You will be forever intertwined with so many of our meaningful memories. From our daily lives, to holidays, to traveling – we shared so many fabulous experiences. You truly were one of the best travel partners – always helpful, patient, fun-loving and never complained even when you doubted our map reading ability,  “This looks familiar. Are you sure we are not driving in circles?"

You taught and modeled patience, kindness, and love . Lainey is forever blessed to have been influenced by you for the first 10 years of her life. You played with her, taught her, read books to her, made so many treats including those “special salads”, swam in pools and lakes, joined us for many road trips up north and down south – as well as so many more memories that we hold dear. Lainey is blessed to be your granddaughter and to have you as her grandmother.  Thank you. 

Marie, you are the model for a loving mother-daughter relationship, navigaing the changes that occur over time and passing decades. When it was time to help her make decisions, she was right to trust you. You always kept her best interests at heart even when the decisions were not always easy and the path not always clear.

Please know Lillian, you are a dear sweet soul that will be so greatly missed and you are truly loved. 

We are blessed to have been a part of your life. 

Love, always,

Jill

 

 



Thank you to everyone who left memories and kind words here, it means so much to our family! 
     One of my favorite memories of my Grandma is how she could float like a cork on the water at the cottage on Payne Lake. She had more buoyancy than anyone I've seen!  When we would gather at the table for meals at Grandma & Grandpa's farmhouse, she would bustle around making sure everyone had coffee, and offering second helpings. Though she barely ate herself, she had the energy of a hummingbird! I believe she was fueled not by food, but by her love for her family & friends. She took Great Grandma into her home, and helped so selflessly with Aunt Rosie, Uncle Pete and Aunt Ada when their health began to fail. 
      Every time I called her long distance, she would worry about how much it was costing me. She would end her calls with words of encouragement, saying "Sarah, you just keep on enjoying your wonderful life and doing what you love." 
    She was my loving Grandma, my Godmother, and now my guardian angel. I love you, Grandma! Always! Your Grandaughter/Goddaughter, Sarah

Our Moms had a beautiful friendship that lasted a lifetime and beyond. Lillian and Lena, together again with all of their dearly departed loved ones. Truly, may you rest in His Peace.

I had the pleasure and honor of  meeting Lil in January, 2001 when I visited Marie for a week. We spent time together and one night Lil made "swallacheese" (don't know if I spelled it right or not), her recipe of a delicious meat "pie" similar to a perogi, and something my Latvian grandmother used to make! She shared the recipe with me and every time I make it, it reminds me of her and my nana. 

Lil was so kind and welcomed me with open arms making me feel right at home. Her gentle and loving nature was such an inspiration! She even became friends and corresponded with my mom. Making friends was easy for her. 

Marie, my heart is heavy with sorrow for you. I know how much you loved Lil and how tirelessly you cared for her, even through your own illness! You had a special bond that can never be broken.  I'm sure your care was the reason for her longevity, as well as the selfless love you bestowed on her. Physically she may be departed, but you can bet her spirit is watching over you constantly. May she rest in peace and God bless you for being such a wonderful daughter. Sending you love, hugs, and prayers of comfort.

Lillian was such a sweet lady. I have many fond memories of her growing up when she would come to visit my Grandma, Lena Detmers. She was a kind and gentle person who will be missed.

Lillian was a very sweet loving lady! I feel very privileged to have been one of her caregivers at Robbinswood Assisted Living. She was a joy to take care of!!
I will miss her very much! My condolences go out to all her family members.
Pat Holzinger 

Lillian has been a Henkel family favorite ever since our sister Mary married her son Rich many years ago.  Lillian was warm, gracious and kind to everyone she met.   She was a hard worker and had an energy that few could match.  Always upbeat, she had a wonderful sense of humor that endeared her to many.  There is much joy in heaven as this faithful servant has come home to rest.  May God bless this special lady.

Gloria, Richard, Shirley, Marie and families, Our deepest sympathy to all of you on the passing of your mom. She was of the special people in our lives. Always kind , helpful and fun to be with. She was always there for our family doings showers, weddings etc;  Most of all she was my moms best friend! She was in my moms life during the good and sad things that happen in life. My mom appreciated all your mom did for her. Your mom was the last of her generation living on earth. She is now with your dad,  her parents, brother, sister and the many friends she had! We will all miss her. May she rest in the peace of the Lord.

Lillian has been a part of the Taylor family longer than I have.  She was always a kind, loving, warm & soul.  As a child, I remember visiting her home several times.  On one such occasion, I found myself captivated by her collection of musical figurines that played beautiful melodies.  When she saw me doing this, she asked me which one was my favorite.  I told her I liked a simple figurine of a girl in a pink dress that twirled to "Sing, Sing A Song."  I think it liked the contradiction that although it made me happy, somehow the song almost brought me to tears.  She gave this figurine to me & I still have it.  It is precious to me...just like Lillian.  I am blessed to have known her.

"Lillian" ~ a poem by Richard Havenga

https://walkwithfathernature.blogspot.com/2021/09/lillian.html

Draugalis means "friend" in Lithuanian. How fitting that Lil's maiden name defined one of the core elements of who she was to so many. Lil's kindness surrounded her almost like a halo. It came from her very soul and showed in every act, every glance, every sweet smile. We feel honored to have been considered among Lil's many friends she made through the years. We saw how she persevered through challenging health issues, and how she always deflected any concern for her own well-being by inquiring about others instead. She genuinely loved people. Her spirit will endure in all who knew her, to all who called her friend. Rest in peace, sweet Lil. 

OBITUARY

Lillian Marie Havenga

22 October, 1922 – 2 September, 2021

Reyers North Valley Chapel

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