Marjorie K. Dekker's Obituary
Mrs. Marjorie K. Dekker, age 89, passed away Monday afternoon, September 25, 2006, in Muskegon. She was born August 31, 1917 in Muskegon to Edward & Frances (Doren) Bouwsma; and had been a life resident of the area. Prior to her retirement in 1979, Marjorie had been a teacher for Muskegon Public Schools for 22 years and had formerly served as Secretary of Cedar Creek Township. She was a member of Unity Reformed Church since 1940, the Winsome Class, RCWM (President), Muskegon Classis RCWM (President), M.E.A.- R, Greater Muskegon Woman’s Club, Johnson Hall Seniors and Muskegon County Republican Women. She served as a Hackley Hospital Volunteer, a Co-Coordinator for the MHS Class of 1935; and as a substitute teacher. Marjorie was the recipient of Mother of the Year honors in 1986; and Michigan Mother of the Year honors for 1987. In her spare time, Marjorie enjoyed shopping, sewing and her many interests in arts and crafts. She also enjoyed traveling and arranging trips for her school students. On May 22, 1940 she married Herman C. Dekker and he preceded her in death on September 11, 1991. She was also preceded in death by 2 brothers, Oscar “Bud” Bouwsma and Edward Bouwsma, Jr. SURVIVORS include her 3 daughters, Nancy Anne (Phil) Tjapkes of Marietta, OH, Margaret Jane “Peggy” (Charles) Danhof of Bolingbrook, IL and Arlene Frances (William) Akker of Muskegon; 7 grandchildren, Anita (Mark) Curtis and Becki (Randy) Fisher of Muskegon, David (Delynne) Tjapkes of Mishawaka, IN, John (Angela) Tjapkes of Marietta, OH, Meredith (Sean) Walker of Bolingbrook, IL and Scott & Kathryn Akker of Muskegon;11 great-grandchildren, Jennifer Curtis, Jillian (Ken) Schaallema, Steven Curtis, Jeffrey Curtis, Patrick Fisher, Christofer Fisher, Randee Anne Tjapkes, Nicholas Tjapkes, Wyatt Tjapkes, Olivia Tjapkes and Macey Walker; 1 great-great-granddaughter, Brianna Schaallema and 3 sisters-in-law, Mary Wood, Helen Bolthouse and Dorothy O’Neal. SERVICES will be 11 AM Friday at Unity Reformed Church (1521 Porter Rd.) with the Revs. Kyle DeYoung and Jim Bos officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery. VISITATION with Marge’s family will be 2-4 & 6-8PM Wednesday at
Sytsema Funeral Home,737 Apple Avenue,Muskegon, MI 49442 (231-726-5210)and one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. MEMORIAL GIFTS to Unity Reformed Church, Western Michigan Christian High School or the Greater Muskegon Women’s Club will be appreciated.
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