Birth date: Sep 3, 1920 Death date: Jun 2, 2020
On Tuesday evening June 2, 2020, longtime resident of the Tri-Cities, Hermina “Min” Van Velzen, passed away from the Covid-19 virus, just three months from reaching 100. She was proud to tell you that she was conceived in the Neth Read Obituary
My memories of Min go back to when when “Cornie and Min” were such good friends with my parents- Hank and Hank Ykema. Min was absolutely an incredible friend and support to my dad after our mom passed in 1981 and to us 4 girls after we lost dad in 1992. Truly a remarkable, kind and loving woman who will be missed by so many.
I grew up in the same church with the Van Velzens' so feel I have known Min my entire life. Especially got reaqainted with her at CHH when my mom is there. She did love her hugs. Always a smile, friendly and outgoing. She and my mom (Henrietta Verhoeven) rebecame friends these last years. Blessings to all of her family, Marilyn Verhoeven Buikema.
I have so many wonderful memories of Aunt Minnie. During part of my childhood, We were blessed to have she and Uncle Cornie living right down the road (160th Ave). I knew that she would always have some kind of homemade baked goods waiting for me when I visited. As I grew older, I was in awe of her love for life, her unwavering faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and her joyful disposition. She would tell me, “The Lord saw fit to wake me up this morning. I won’t question it, I just do my best to Be thankful and live life Her gave me to the fullest”. She helped to shape me into the woman that I am. I will be forever grateful that God gave me Aunt Minnie.
Mom was one Amazing Woman, the memories are many. The one that pops up the most is Sunday afternoon dinners after church. It was a regular thing for years. After church we would all go back to mom and dad's for dinner, might just the boys then boys and what ever friends they drag along, then we all started getting married and having our own families, and the group would just get bigger. Over the years some would have other commitments so they wouldn't come, but Sunday dinner was always there for who ever wanted a meal, and what a meal it would be. I believe she had an insight to the Bible story of the Deciples feeding the crowd with seven loafs of bread cause she never ran out of food. If any one stop just to say they were expected to stay for dinner. This went on till she turned 91 and moved to the Christian Haven Home. This is just one of the many amazing memories I have of Mom.
We'll Miss Her Dearly.
Paul
My deepest sympathies with the passing of Aunt Min. I remember times as a boy when Aunt Min and Uncle Courney would visit our family in Beaver Creek and times when we visited them and the kids in Michigan. Very fond memories. My thought and prayers and love are with the family.
Ron and Jan Harnack
My sympathy to Min's family. I loved taking with Min. I worked at CHH as a weekend cook and later a weekend office receptionist. Min would come visit me in the office with a handful of jewelry before the dinner hour and we would coordinate her earrings with her outfit. On a walk outside around the home to pick some daffodils for Min's vase, she talked about her past employment at CHH, and how she knew when her senior years arrived she wanted to live at CHH. I remember Min would go apple picking with her family in the fall and brings some apples back to CHH to share with her fellow residents and staff. Min was a very caring person. I have three daughters who had also worked at CHH - they too hold a special place in their hearts for Min. We were proud to have been her friend. We all love and will remember Min and the fun picture on her room door of her feeding the cows. Min was a sweet soul and will be truly missed. Our deepest sympathies - Kim Siple / Kate, Haleigh, and Brianne Siple
I use to talk with Min while visiting my Mother at Christian Haven Home. She always had something to tell me about feeding her cows, her sons, and the many many stuffed animals she’d won playing games at CHH. She was a delight and I know will be missed tremendously. Sending prayers and hugs for Min’s family. May they find comfort in the memories of their mother.
This is a poem that I wrote for my mother many years ago for Mothers Day.
I pray that this poem shows how much I loved and admired my mother. All mothers are special but I know in my heart that mine was the greatest.
MY MOTHER
The love my mother gave me
When I was but a lad
Chased away the monsters
That all the closets had,
The love my mother showed me
Through all those growing years
Turned bruises into badges
Made sunshine out of tears,
The love my mother taught me
Lives in my heart today
And will live there forever
And will never fade away.
The love my mother’s made of
Was given her by God
I sure do love you Mother,
A precious gem unflawed.
Ken Van Velzen
Dear VanVelzen Family,
We mourn you loss. Your mom was a close family friend and we will miss her. We are so glad we got to visit her last summer while we were back in Grand Haven.
Sincerely,
Mike and Karen Slootmaker
