Hermina "Min" Van Velzen's Obituary
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 Netherlands and born in the USA on September 3, 1920, in Hull, Iowa where her parents had migrated to from Holland. On September 3, 1940, she married Cornelius Van Velzen in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In 1946 the family moved to Spring Lake Michigan.
She was an amazing homemaker and mother who enjoyed raising their five sons.
She also enjoyed camping, any kind of travel, knitting, sewing and rock collecting, many of which were as big as she was. At maybe 5’1”, most of her sons were bigger than her by grade school.
For the past 8 years she was a resident at Christian Haven Home in Grand Haven, Michigan, where she had worked many years before.
Min endured the loss of her husband of 58 years, Cornie, in 1998 and sons Rodney (Marilyn) in 2007 and Byron in 2008. She is survived by her eldest son, Harold (Patt) of White Cloud, 4th and 5th sons Ken of Orlando, FL and Paul (Marcia) of Robinson Township and a whole phone book full of grand, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by all 6 of her siblings, 4 older and 2 younger than her, many of whom also lived into their 90's.
She lived by the philosophy that Hugs are Healthy.
She was very proud of her family and would often add an 8th, 9th or more plates at the dinner table to feed any of the many friends her sons would take home with them. She somehow fed her family of seven with an amazing menu of meals and her baked goods were always the best.
The family is planning on having a celebration of her life sometime in August. Arrangements entrusted to The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Ave, Grand Haven, MI 49417. Please sign the families online guest book at www.sytsemafh.com.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Christian Haven Home in Grand Haven, MI.
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Share a story where Hermina's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Hermina you’ll never forget.
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