Helen M. Heethuis' Obituary
Helen Margaret Heethuis, age 79, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Tuesday, May 16, 2023, in Spring Lake, MI. Helen was born in Muskegon, MI on May 22, 1943, to Laurens and Violet (Leaf) Buthker. She graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1961 and spent the rest of her life living in the Muskegon area. On April 22, 1966, she married Robert J. “Bob” Heethuis, and they spent 50 wonderful years together until he preceded her in death in 2016. Helen worked as a bookkeeper for Superior Oil Company in Muskegon for 18 years until her daughter, Jenni, was born when she began her role as a homemaker for her family. Helen enjoyed watching the Detroit Pistons basketball team, and she was a loyal fan of NASCAR racing, especially drivers Rusty Wallace and Ryan Newman. She was a collector of Longaberger baskets, and she took great pride in the flower garden at her home that she shared with her next-door neighbor. Helen always had a positive “glass half full” outlook and was happy to help others however she could. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters. Helen will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jenni (Bill) Wheeler; two granddaughters: Kate and Nicole Wheeler; sister, Marian Stoll of Twin Lake, MI; brother in-law, Bill (Carolyn) Heethuis of Caledonia, MI; two sisters in-law: Sally (Ron) Bielema of Fremont, MI, and Mary (Robert) Sytsema of Norton Shores, MI; and many nieces and nephews. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Laurens and Violet Buthker; husband of 50 years, Bob Heethuis; and brother in-law, Dale Stoll. VISITATION for Helen will be taking place from 2:00-4:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM on Friday, May 26, 2023, at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 6291 Harvey St, Norton Shores, MI, 49444. A FUNERAL will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Bethany Christian Reformed Church, 1105 Terrace St, Muskegon, MI, 49442, where Helen was a member for over 50 years. In lieu of flowers, please consider making memorial contributions to Bethany Christian Reformed Church or to Muskegon Christian School’s daycare expansion campaign, the school attended by Helen’s husband, daughter, and granddaughters. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories with the family at sytsemafh.com.
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