Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the resp

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Erik Johns
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Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.

From the time she was a young girl Leona Van Valkenburg modeled her life by the Christian faith and honored

She was a dedicated and loving wife, a caring mother and grandmother, and a faithful servant of God, who was

Leona knew that her life on earth would not last forever and with that in mind, she filled all of her days

Our story begins in a time long ago, before there were traffic jams and shopping malls or computers and cell

This was a time when cars were still somewhat of a rare sight and your clothes were more likely to have been

This may have been a slower, simpler time, but for one family, January 6, 1911 was anything but dull.

they named Leona. Leona was born and raised at her family s home on Spencer Street N.E.

When Leona reached school age she began attending Creston Christian School.

2 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised. Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone (Proverbs 31:30-31). From the time she was a young girl Leona Van Valkenburg modeled her life by the Christian faith and honored the Lord with her life, everyday. She was a dedicated and loving wife, a caring mother and grandmother, and a faithful servant of God, who was always compassionate, patient, and generous with her time. Leona knew that her life on earth would not last forever and with that in mind, she filled all of her days with the things that brought her the most joy, devoting everything to her faith and her family. Our story begins in a time long ago, before there were traffic jams and shopping malls or computers and cell phones. This was a time when cars were still somewhat of a rare sight and your clothes were more likely to have been made at home than bought at a department store. This may have been a slower, simpler time, but for one family, January 6, 1911 was anything but dull. On that day, Louis and Lena (Kooistra) VanDyke proudly welcomed their sixth child into the world, a daughter they named Leona. Leona was born and raised at her family s home on Spencer Street N.E. in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she lived with her parents and her six siblings. When Leona reached school age she began attending Creston Christian School. Her parent s decision to send her there was an easy one considering that the school was associated with the church the family attended every Sunday, Creston Christian Reformed Church. Leona and her family were very active in their church, and it is there, through Sunday School and catechism classes, that Leona learned the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Leona would often share the story of the time in 1917 when she played a Red Cross nurse in a church play to show support of the American troops fighting in WWI. 2

When Leona entered her freshman year at Creston High School, she was aware that many of her fellow classmates

Like those students, she did go to work, only it was a part-time job at a local embroidery shop while she

After she graduated in 1928, she accepted a fulltime position doing secretarial work at Seidman and Seidman, a

Leona used the money she earned to help support her family during the depression era, even buying a car with

During the week she was very fastidious about her work, but the weekends were for having fun.

friends, one in particular being Cornelius Van Valkenburg.

3 When Leona entered her freshman year at Creston High School, she was aware that many of her fellow classmates would not be there to graduate. Like those students, she did go to work, only it was a part-time job at a local embroidery shop while she continued going to school. Leona saw the bigger picture and realized the importance of getting an education. After she graduated in 1928, she accepted a fulltime position doing secretarial work at Seidman and Seidman, a local accounting firm. Leona used the money she earned to help support her family during the depression era, even buying a car with her brother to provide them with transportation. During the week she was very fastidious about her work, but the weekends were for having fun. From the time she was young she had become close with two of her neighbors, Lillian VanderVeen (Miller) and Margaret DeBoer (Kok). Together, the girls would throw a house party or head over to Grand Haven or Bostwick Lake, always looking to have a good time. Leona and her pals also took many trips to the University of Michigan Law School where they would visit with friends, one in particular being Cornelius Van Valkenburg. Neil, as most called him, was a law student whom Leona had known from church, but had never thought of as more than a friend. Several trips to U of M and one law degree later, Leona and Neil were crazy about one another. They began seriously dating when Neil graduated in the mid-1930s and became husband and wife in 1938 at a wedding ceremony at the Country House on E. Fulton Street. Following the wedding, they took their first of many trips together, going on a honeymoon in Florida. And when they returned to Michigan, they moved into their first of many homes together, a house on Spencer Street N.E. Over the 3

years they moved several times, from the house to Evelyn Street, and then over to Conger Street, but they never left the northeast side of Grand Rapids.

In 1940, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Alison, followed by a daughter named Cynthia in 1943.

While Neil took the car to work during the day, the girls would take it out at night to shop for new material at places like Herpolsheimer s or Steketees.

4 years they moved several times, from the house to Evelyn Street, and then over to Conger Street, but they never left the northeast side of Grand Rapids. Since jobs were scarce during the depression and Neil worked as an attorney for a local insurance company, Leona left her job to become a full-time homemaker. In 1940, the couple welcomed their first child, a daughter named Alison, followed by a daughter named Cynthia in In addition to managing the home and being a fabulous cook, Leona was also an excellent seamstress and made all of the girls clothes. While Neil took the car to work during the day, the girls would take it out at night to shop for new material at places like Herpolsheimer s or Steketees. Both Leona and Neil were very involved in their daughters lives. Leona was active in the parent programs at Creston Christian School, where Alison and Cindy attended school. The family also took many vacations together over the years. To keep the girls occupied and from bothering one another, Neil would assign them jobs like figuring out the routes on the map. From the Atlantic to the Pacific they traveled, visiting places like the Rocky Mountains and Washington, D.C. In 1953, Leona and Neil were approached by a group wanting to start a church on the city s north side. From that point on the couple was instrumental in getting that church off the ground, which made them charter members of Riverside Christian Reformed Church. Leona was dedicated to the church, participating in sewing circles, volunteering for food preparation committees, and attending both morning and evening services every Sunday. When Neil began doing legal work for the church s aid agency, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee, Leona supported him in whatever ways she could. Leona and Neil truly lived out their faith everyday. Following WWII, Leona and her family adopted a family from the Netherlands to send packages of letters, toys, and clothing to. Later in life they were able to meet the family, traveling to 4

their home in the Netherlands and becoming their hosts when they visited the U.S. Leona and Neil enjoyed traveling, and took the family to places like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls.

Their first trip out of the country was to Puerto Rico, which was an eye opening experience for both her and Neil, and from that point on they were only more eager to travel.

After Neil retired in 1974, the couple continued to travel and began spending winters in Arizona with their daughter Alison and her family.

5 their home in the Netherlands and becoming their hosts when they visited the U.S. Leona and Neil enjoyed traveling, and took the family to places like the Grand Canyon and Niagara Falls. The couple took many trips together across the fifty states and around the world. Their first trip out of the country was to Puerto Rico, which was an eye opening experience for both her and Neil, and from that point on they were only more eager to travel. In traveling and in life, Leona always preferred to do things her own way and never as part of an organized tour. After Neil retired in 1974, the couple continued to travel and began spending winters in Arizona with their daughter Alison and her family. Neil passed away in 1987, yet Leona continued her active lifestyle, driving a car until she was 89, wintering in Arizona, and attending church services and Bible studies. She always had a history of preparing a great Sunday dinner. From humble beginnings when, in her thrifty nature, she made just enough to feed her family, to the time her daughters brought home some country boys who nearly ate her out of house and home, Leona had perfected the quality and quantity of her famous meal. Just before she moved into Porter Hills Presbyterian Village in the early 1990s, the family all gathered around for one final dinner they dubbed, the last supper. They even captured the bittersweet moment on film as one for the memory books. In recent years Leona lost her eyesight, but she never lost her ability to converse or to recognize people by their voice. Until her final days, she remained mentally sharp. After spending only three days in the hospital, Leona passed away. Although her family will miss her dearly, they can find joy in their memories, peace in their faith, and comfort knowing that she has gone to dwell in the house of the Lord for eternity. Leona (VanDyke) Van Valkenburg passed away on Tuesday July 25, 2006 at the age of 95 and is now in heaven and reunited with her husband Cornelius (Neil) Van Valkenburg and her 3 5

great grandchildren: Blake, Elise and Macy Morren.

Vander Ark, Ross Vander Ark, Bill and Sue Morren, Bob and Jill Morren, Bruce and Jayme Morren, her great grandchildren: Jessa,

Ruth Verbrugge and Gert Van Valkenburg and several nieces and nephews. Mrs.

E, where relatives and friends may meet her family Wednesday from 7-9 P.

Fulton (West Entrance) with Rev. Charles Geschiere officiating.

6 great grandchildren: Blake, Elise and Macy Morren. Surviving are her children: Alison and Ron Vander Ark of Phoenix Arizona, Cindy and Arnie Morren of Grandville, her grandsons Ryan Vander Ark, Ross Vander Ark, Bill and Sue Morren, Bob and Jill Morren, Bruce and Jayme Morren, her great grandchildren: Jessa, Brynna, Lindy, Tyler, Nathan, Austin, Logan, Jacob, Quinn as well as an unborn grandchild expected in September, her sisters-in-law Ruth Verbrugge and Gert Van Valkenburg and several nieces and nephews. Mrs. Van Valkenburg reposes at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Van Strien - Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield N.E, where relatives and friends may meet her family Wednesday from 7-9 P.M A private committal service will be at Fairplains Cemetery. A memorial service will be held Thursday at 3 P.M. at the Meeting Room at Porter Hills, 3600 E. Fulton (West Entrance) with Rev. Charles Geschiere officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with the family prior to the memorial service from 2 P.M until the time of the service. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) would be appreciated. Please visit Leona s personal memory page at to share a favorite memory or sign the online register book.

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