Vera A. Bouwhuis' Obituary
Vera A. Bouwhuis, age 91, went to be with the Lord Wednesday, February 25, 2026, in Holland, Michigan.
Born on December 6, 1934, in Suttons Bay, Michigan, to Lawrence and Lois (Eddleman) Walters, Vera enjoyed the farm life with her five brothers and two sisters. Her favorite farm animal was her pony, Binky Bo Bo. She was part of the last class to graduate from the old stone schoolhouse in Suttons Bay in 1952. In June 1959, she married her husband, Thomas Bouwhuis, with whom she shared 55 beautiful years until his passing in 2014.
Tom and Vera moved to Houghton, Michigan, where Tom attended Michigan Technological University and Vera cared for three of their five children. They settled in Midland, Michigan, where they raised their family as devout Catholics at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church, listening to polka music every Sunday after Mass.
Her children always looked forward to her delicious, homemade after-school snacks and hearty dinners, always accompanied by dessert. She also enjoyed laughing and playing cards and bingo with friends, neighbors, and family while listening to her favorite country singer, George Strait. Tom and Vera supported the Midland County Food Pantry for many years, strategically filling their car full of donations every week. She was a devoted wife, mom, grandma, sister, and friend and touched many lives at her assisted living home. She will be dearly missed.
She is survived by her five children: son, Tom (Colette) Bouwhuis; daughters, Cheryl (Jim) Cahill, Michelle (Fred) Corrion, Jean (Paul) Jablonski, Mary (Paul) Fraley; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sisters Kathryn Flohe, and Mary L. (Edward) Rothgarber; brothers-in-law, Dick (Bonnie) Bouwhuis, Jerry Bouwhuis; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, five brothers and their spouses, and five brothers-in-law and their spouses.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, May 1, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spring Lake, Michigan, where the family will receive friends for one hour prior to the Mass, followed by a funeral luncheon in the parish hall. A private funeral Interment will take place at New Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Midland, Michigan. Those considering an expression of sympathy are asked to consider a donation to the Midland County Food Pantry or Faith Hospice.
Please sign the family's online guestbook at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services
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