Francina "Franny" Maria VanWalsum's Obituary
Mrs. Francina “Franny” M. VanWalsum, age 83, went to be with her Lord Thursday morning, February 18, 2010, in Muskegon. She was born September 9, 1926 in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands to Jan & Maartje (Bakker) Groeneveld and has resided in the Muskegon area since 1951. “Franny” was a member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church and of its Friendship Ministries. She had owned and operated Fran’s Ceramics for 23 years in addition to loving to knit, crochet, camp and travel. On March 9, 1951 she married Rien VanWalsum and he survives her along with 3 children, John Martin VanWalsum of Muskegon, Robert (Sarah) VanWalsum of Rochester, NY and Margaret Ann (Gregory) Start of Twin Lake; daughter-in-law, Barb (Rick, Dec’d) VanWalsum of Grand Rapids; 8 grandchildren, Scott (Crystal) VanWalsum, Michael (Kelly) VanWalsum, Chad (Ruth) VanWalsum, Caleb and Rebekah VanWalsum; Kyle, James and Erika Start; 6 great-grandchildren, Ian, Nicholas, Elliott, Gabriella, Brenden and Madelyn VanWalsum and by her sister-in-law, Mary VerHagen of Muskegon. “Franny” was preceded in death by her parents, 1 son, Reinier “Rick” C. VanWalsum and by 1 sister, Maria Groeneveld. SERVICES will be 11 AM Monday, February 22, 2010 at Calvin Christian Reformed Church with Pastor John Rop officiating. Burial will be in Sunrise Memorial Gardens. VISITATION with “Franny’s” family will be 2-4 & 6-8PM Sunday at The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 737 Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442 (231-726-5210). For a more a lasting memorial you are asked to consider Western Michigan Christian School or the Patient Activities Fund of Sanctuary at McAuley.
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