Jeannette Poel's Obituary
God answered our beloved mother’s prayer, “Please, Lord, open the door”, on Sunday, April 5, 2020. Born to John and Alice Wychers on April 14, 1924 in Grand Rapids, MI, she lived her life committed to serving her Lord. She excelled academically at Oakdale Christian School, Grand Rapids Christian High School, Calvin College, and Blodgett School of Nursing. Early in her life she secretly hoped to serve as a missionary nurse. Her hope became reality when she and her husband, Harvey Poel, left Grand Haven with their young family to serve as missionaries in Nigeria, West Africa, for nearly 10 years.
Jeanne and Harvey together raised 5 children, modeling Christ’s example through their marriage spanning 73 years. They loved each other generously, respected each other’s gifts, allowed each other to be the people God created them to be, and fiercely loved their children and growing families. They were devoted members of Second Christian Reformed Church where Jeanne was involved with children’s ministry programs and Ladies Fellowship. She also led the way for the deaconess ministry at church. They were blessed with dear and lasting friendships, some of whom shared winters together on Pine Island, Florida.
Jeanne was a student of the Word devoting herself to study and as a leader in Bible Study Fellowship. Until recently she engaged with dear friends in Bible study, prayer, and fellowship. Her children know that she prayed them through many of life’s challenges. She lovingly called them all “rascals – some more than others.”
God gifted Jeanne with a variety of talents. She prepared meals for those in need and friends alike, cooked “up a storm” for her family remembering what each one liked to eat especially on their birthday. She taught her children to cook, bake, sew, knit, clean, make a bed (“nurses learned that in training”), enjoy music, play games, garden, revel in the waves of Lake Michigan, and to “mind your manners.” With each additional family member her love grew so that each felt special. She was a generous woman, forward thinking, a listener and a confidante. She made visible God’s grace, kindness, caring and love to all who knew her.
Jeanne is survived by her children: Thom (Louise) Poel; Cheryl (Calvin) Bremer; Berni (Mike) Geoghan; Marie (Daryl) Sieplinga; Phil (Kirsten) Poel; and special niece Luann (Doug) DeVries. Grandchildren: Brandon (Sue) Poel; Janelle (Bryan) Tithoff; Nicole (Mike) Skofic; Ben (Andrea) Nielsen; Dave (Leslie) Nielsen; Sheli (Tim) Massie; Matt (Tracy) Geoghan; Josh (Cori) Geoghan; Rachel (Erin) Geoghan-Cummings; Sarah Geoghan; Kari (Matt) Dykhouse; Joel (Renee) Sieplinga; Kelli (Jon) Dunn; Molly Poel; Fisher Poel; Dan (Brittany) DeVries; Abby (Travis) Christian; 28 great grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her sister (and lifelong best friend) Gretta Petersen; brother Bern Wychers; sister-in-law Jean Wychers; sister-in-law Ruth Poel, brother-in-law Clyde (Jean) Kinkema, and many dear nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Harvey Poel, her brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Phyllis Wychers, her sister-in-law Ann Wychers, her brother-in-laws and sister-in laws Oscar and Marian Poel, Clarissa(s) and Peter Kroeze, Ken and Fran Poel, Gord Poel and Phyllis Kinkema.
A private burial service has taken place. A celebration of Jeanne’s life will take place at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Second Christian Reformed Church (www.secondcrcgrandhaven.org) or Resonate Global Mission (www.resonateglobalmission.org). Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.sytsemafh.com.
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