Gordon Howard Boelens' Obituary
When someone passes away, memories start flooding your soul. Grandkids started talking of jelly beans, cookies, ice cream and fun. On May 21, 2020 Gordon Boelens passed peacefully away while his dear Susan read words from his best buddy, Susan’s dad, Dick Rhem.
Gordon was born on August 2, 1926 to Garry and Florence Boelens. He and his brother, Herb had a wonderful childhood in Spring Lake where the Christman family were neighbors on one side and the Kruizenga’s on the other. He graduated from Grand Haven High School in 1944. He played football and basketball for the Bucs.
The day after graduation Gord and his friend, Harold Garter drove to Lansing to enlist. Gord chose the Army Air Corp. He was only 17. He was sent to Michigan State University until he was 18. After boot camp, Gord was stationed in Douglas, AZ.
After the war ended, Gord came back to Spring Lake. He enrolled at Coin Electrical School in Chicago. He took the train home every weekend to woo the girl next door. On the first day of spring in 1949 he proposed to Dorothy Kruizenga. They were married on September 3, 1949. They were married 63 years at the time of Dort’s death on Jan 1, 2013.
Gord took over Boelens Electric from his father. He owned Boelens Electric until his retirement. He was a Master Electrician and Electrical Contractor. Being a friendly guy, he met people all over town and they would become friends. He was member of the Shoreline Builders Association and Spring Lake Rotary.
A long time ago I found a little quote in the paper “You know you live in a small town when your electrician says ‘Don’t touch anything, I have to leave for a fire call.” That was Gord. He proudly served on the Spring Lake Fire Department for over 25 years; many of those years as Captain. If the fire siren went off during church, we were at the mercy of friends to get us home.
With 4 small children in a 2 bedroom house, Dort and Gord built a house in a new subdivision called Ranch Acres. All the lots were an acre, there was lots of room for kids to run and play. Later he put in a swimming pool, so there were many pool parties, Sunday dinners and always room for more at the table.
He coached the boys Little League teams with Gil Van Wieren. Endured the girls piano and ballet recitals. He traveled around the country to attend to grandchildren’s big events. He loved us all so much. Being a member of Christ Community Church, he served on various committees.
Moving into Cote’ La Mer, he had a great time meeting more friends and more parties.
Gord loved having fun whether golfing with his friend, Hank Casemier, the guys at Grand Haven Golf Club or spending Coast Guard Saturday with the Garters. There was the 3rd Saturday of each month bridge club, lunches with Dick and Jack, happy hours on the Bryson patio. He loved cheering for the Spartans and the last four year were highlighted with MacKenzie’ s Raequan Williams playing for the Spartans.
Retiring to Green Valley Arizona, the Paseo Chico neighbors soon became the friends that enjoyed his company.
Gord’s love and belly laughs will be missed by his children:
Mike and his kids: Marta with Greyson and Taylor, Gretchen and Ryan Lane and their sons Griffin and Rowan, and Kyle. Greg (aka Mac) and Mary and their girls: Nicki and son Jack, Elyse and Sally and Jeff Wrona. Cindy Hyde: CR and Johanna with daughters Elsa and Clara, MacKenzie and Andrew Crouch and kids Raequan Williams and Keante Pendelton. Kristie and David Epplett and family: Eric and Chrissy with daughter, Nora; and Trevor. He was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy, his parents, his brother Herb, son-in-law Dick Hyde and sister-in-laws; Georgia Van Weelden and Margaret Kruizenga. In addition to his family, he is survived by Doris Boelens and family, the VanWeelden, Kruizenga, Rhem families, cousins and friends who were impacted by his life.
We want to thank the staff at Lakeshore Assisted Living Sierra House for the wonderful care, love and good food Gord received and North Ottawa Hospice for blessing us in his last month with tender care and support.
Memorials can be given to Lakeshore Assisted Living Scholarship Fund or Hospice of North Ottawa Community.
Arrangements by The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456. Sign the guest book online at www.sytsemafh.com.
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