June 3, 1926, was an unseasonably chilly summer day—cold enough that Bert Tiemeyer had to chop wood to warm his farmhouse on 6100 Clyde Park Avenue. But as that day continued, Bert and his wife Winnie barely noticed the weather. They were too busy enjoying their first joy-filled moments with their newborn daughter, a blonde haired, round cheeked, hazel-eyed little girl they named Marian Sarah Tiemeyer.
Marian and her four younger siblings enjoyed a happy childhood, though not without struggles. The Great Depression was in full swing, and every member of Marian’s family needed to help in order to make ends meet. Marian enjoyed some tasks: milking the cows, working with horses, cultivating corn, hanging clothes on the line, picking elderberries. Other tasks she was glad to leave behind, like picking pickles and removing frozen clothes from the line in winter. When Marian recalled those days later in life, she always had a twinkle in her eye. Times were difficult, and money was scarce, but singing, laughter, games, bike rides, and the occasional treat transformed hardship into sweet memories.
When Marian turned five years old, she began the two-and-a-half-mile trek to Cutlerville Christian School to attend first grade. Her years at school fostered a life-long love for learning. She particularly enjoyed reading and math, and she spent her recesses playing softball, one of her favorite pastimes. Marian was a quick learner with a lot of gumption; later in life, this became apparent in her willingness to learn new technology, master new crafts, and undertake home improvement projects.
Marian began contributing to her family financially at a young age, taking on work at the general store and babysitting. Her favorite job was working at Pine Rest Christian Psychiatric Hospital, where she worked in the kitchen and then in an occupational therapy role, teaching patients valuable sewing skills and working to bring joy to their lives. It was at this job that she learned that doing work you enjoyed was more important than receiving a large paycheck.
When Marian was twenty-two years old, her sister convinced her to go on a blind date with a young man named Cliff Nederveld. Marian was immediately smitten with this handsome young man with a sweet smile and wavy dark hair. The two soon discovered they had many things in common, most important being their love for Jesus and their desire to instill that love for Jesus into their future children. They began to see each other more regularly, attending football games, church, and hymn sings or enjoying a burger together. On April 19, 1951, at Pine Rest Chapel, Marian and Cliff exchanged vows and took their first steps in what was to be a long and happy marriage.
In the early months of married life, Marian continued to work at Pine Rest, but she it wasn’t long before she turned her attention to her newest role: being a mother. Over the course of eleven years, Marian and Cliff had six children: Donald, James (stillborn), Paul, Mary, Barbara, and Ruth Ann. Marian was a kind and nurturing mother, albeit a strict one. She included her children in many of the household tasks that kept her busy, from hulling strawberries, picking mulberries, and preparing Sunday School materials to making miniature pizzas, sewing, and holding garage sales. However, she was determined that her children would have some of the childhood pleasures that her own upbringing never afforded her. She placed great emphasis on her children’s education, sacrificing to send them to Christian schools and encouraging them to pursue a college education. She instilled in her children a great love for God’s creation, encouraging them to play outside, explore, and garden. Her children have fond memories of going on camping trips, renting cottages, and visiting the Smoky Mountains—vacations that were no small undertaking for a family of seven. Marian was a patient and kind instructor to her children, teaching them to embroider, crochet, sew, and drive, and showing patience and grace when her children made mistakes. Her children remember many fun times together as a family, including watching July Fourth fireworks each year, going on Sunday afternoon drives, and getting birthday hamburgers, which they would eat at the park.
When her children were grown, Marian returned to work, enjoying employment at Steenstra’s Bakery and Racquets West. It was while working at Racquets West that she took on a new role: She was now a grandmother. Over time, Marian had 15 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. She was a warm and loving grandmother, making sure her grandchildren had plenty of toys to play with when they visited and sending them with baggies of Fig Newtons or windmill cookies to eat on the drive home. Her grandchildren could expect to pick up the phone every birthday to hear Grandma sing them “Happy Birthday.” She enjoyed coloring with her grandkids, reading them books, teaching them to crochet, and encouraging them to clear their plates by feeling their arms and declaring, “I feel a little more room in there!” Each holiday she packed her home with her whole family and took great joy in watching them eat, chat, and play games together. Her family has particularly fond memories of their annual gathering at East Lake, where they enjoyed eating hamburgers, going on paddle boat rides, swimming, and playing games together.
When she wasn’t spending time with her family, Marian enjoyed taking trips to Florida and the Smoky Mountains, tending her beautiful flower gardens, watching travelogues and backyard birds, attending hymn sings, and crocheting. She and Cliff spent many summers at their trailer at East Lake in Hopkins, where Marian enjoyed views of the lake, watched for blue herons, and admired the spring wildflowers in bloom. They were also regular attendees of Grandville Senior Neighbors, where Marian made many friends and enjoyed playing shuffleboard and taking classes; she particularly enjoyed learning doll-making, and over the years she amassed quite the collection. She was an active member of her church, Ivanrest Christian Reformed, where she taught Sunday School for over twenty-five years, instilling in future generations a love for Jesus. In later years, when her health declined and she and Cliff moved to Holland Home, she enjoyed taking part in activities like travelogues, parties, and craft lessons.
Marian was a warm, loving woman who had a true servant’s heart, eager to help those in need and support her family in difficult times. She was enthusiastic about praying for her loved ones, was thoughtful and reassuring, strove to maintain harmony in her family, and showed care and concern, even if she didn’t know how to solve a problem. Marian’s greatest wish was to be remembered as a woman who loved Jesus, lived for him, and served him, body and soul. She was confident that wherever she went in life, she would be guided and held by the God who made her, knows her, and loves her. Her family thanks God for giving them such a compassionate and loving wife, mother, and grandmother.
Marian died peacefully on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, surrounded by her loving family. Marian’s family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff at Holland Home and Faith Hospice for so warmly caring for Marian in her final years.
Marian was preceded in death by her infant stillborn son, James Nederveld; sons Donald Nederveld, Paul Nederveld; granddaughter, Amber VandenBerg; brothers Johnny Tiemeyer, Alfred Tiemeyer; sister, Evelyn DeVries; and baby sister, Bertha. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 71 years, Cliff; daughters Mary (Dave) Scramlin, Barb (Les) Berkenpas, and Ruth Ann (Terry) Hoelsema; daughters-in-law Jo Nederveld and Wanda Nederveld; grandchildren Laurie Beth Nederveld, Greg Nederveld, Melissa (Rob) Smith, Ryan Nederveld, Ashley (Chris) Nederveld, Katrina (Brent) Terkeurst, Anna (Adam) Rapp, Elizabeth (Jared) Vince, Mike (Elizabeth) VandenBerg, Jason (Brittany) Berkenpas, Lisa Berkenpas, Micah Berkenpas, Scott (Sarah) Hoelsema, Peter Hoelsema, Kurt Hoelsema; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Cindy (Al) Vande Steeg; sister-in-law, Wilma Tiemeyer; brother-in-law, George DeVries; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, May 23, 2022, at Ivanrest Christian Reformed Church, 3777 Ivanrest Ave. SW, Grandville, MI 49418. The family will greet friends and relatives from 6-8 p.m. Sunday, May 22, 2022, at Cook Memorial Chapel, 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville, MI 49418, and on Monday, May 23, 2022, at 10 a.m. prior to the funeral service at Ivanrest Christian Reformed Church. Contributions in memory of Marian may be made to Right to Life and Bible League International. The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcaresgrandville.com.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.8.18