Bernice Vanhall

Bernice VanHall was a true caretaker who always had an open place at her table for anyone that wanted to be fed, an open door for those who regularly dropped by, and an open heart that encompassed all those who were ever within her grasp. Bernice was an extraordinary mother who didnt stop being a mother once her children were grown, and was always concerned with the needs of others rather than her own. Known as Candy Grandma to her grandchildren, she was famous for her delectable potato salad and always made sure she made enough for everyone to take some home. With the end of WWI in 1918, the people of the 1920s were ready to enjoy life for a change. Business in America was good, people loved watching good old American baseball, and women were a bit more risqu with their fashion as hemlines began to rise above the ankle. It was also during this time that Adolph and Alice (Melcher) Munch, of Grand Haven, Michigan, were celebrating the birth of their daughter, Bernice Emma, on July 19, 1920. Bernice was one of eight children in the Munch family, and her father worked as a property caretaker for cottages and homes in the Highland Park neighborhood in Grand Haven, and her mother helped clean cottages and also worked at the hospital. Bernice learned early on to appreciate the gift of family as her own family grieved the death of two of her siblings, Alice and Richard, who died when they were just infants. Bernice was raised in the family home in Grand Haven Township nearby the Peach Plains School where she received her education. These were the years of the Great Depression, and children were more commonly found in the workplace than they were in the classroom. Like so many others, Bernice attended school though only the eighth grade, and then found work at the Khardomah Lodge. She did have some free time occasionally, and she enjoyed playing softball and roller skating. In fact, it would be while roller skating on one occasion that Bernice met the young man who would forever change the course of her life. His name was Kenneth VanHall, and they met while roller skating at the Barn in Grand Haven. They dated for a time and it didnt take long before the young couple had fallen in love. They were united in marriage on April 20, 1940, in Grand Haven. They settled into a house on Wallace Street where they soon welcomed six children into not only their home, but their hearts as well: Ken, Jr., Dennis, Patricia, John, Michael, and Laurie. In 1954, their family moved into a home on Colfax that would better suit their larger family. This would be the house where Bernice would live for the rest of her life. As a mother, Bernice was truly extraordinary, immersing herself into caring for the needs of her active family. She ran a tight ship as the house was always clean, and dinner was on the table when her husband arrived home from work. Bernice prepared scrumptious meals for her family and was a talented baker as well, famous for her pies and Santa Christmas cookies. Their family was always a close one too, and during the summer they all went blueberry picking together to earn extra money for school clothes. Their family was always given the best rows of bushes because the whole family was experts in the trade. Although work was an important component in the VanHall family, they liked to have fun together too. They enjoyed going camping and mushroom hunting together, and they frequently went boating on the Grand River, usually stopping for picnics on the islands in the river, often with other members of their extended family. There were also family reunions where they would rent out Camp Potawatomie with their extended family. At times their family would rent a cabin near Manton, Michigan, where she and Ken would go deer hunting with friends, and Bernice was always in charge of the cooking. They also went smelt fishing on occasion, Bernice would always clean thier catch. There were a variety of interests that were unique to Bernice and that attributed to making her the special lady for which she will be warmly remembered. When her children were grown, Bernice found part-time work at various businesses including Meijers for a time. She was an avid Tigers fan and caught their games on television as often as she could. When her family grew to include grandchildren, Bernice delighted in them just as she had in her own children and loved spending time with them. She liked to play cards and taught her grandchildren to play the game 65, and her house was always well-stocked with candy for them too, giving her the name Candy Grandma. Faith always played an important role in Bernices life and from the time her children were small, they faithfully attended St. Johns Lutheran Church where she remained active for many years. Later in life, Bernice experienced both peaks and valleys. She was deeply saddened with the death of her beloved husband in 1995, but she continued on with her daily activities and remained on her own while drawing strength from both her family and her faith. When her health began to decline, Bernice began listening to tapes of the services from St. Johns, no longer able to attend in person. She never wanted to be a burden to anyone, and still tried to pay for things for her children and grandchildren, although they rarely allowed this. Bernice rallied back from health challenges of her own, having undergone hip replacement surgery and two knee replacements as well. She continued to care for her own needs, doing her own laundry and even hanging it out to dry, and washing all her own dishes too since she never had a dishwasher. Bernice kept her mind sharp by doing word puzzles and she remained a die-hard Tigers fan, living on her own with some assistance until she drew her last breath. Bernice VanHall lived a long and active life laced with love for all those within her reach. She wasnt concerned with the things that people are so often trying to achieve, but rather she was concerned with shaping the hearts and lives of those she held most dear, her beloved family. Bernice will be dearly missed. Bernice E. VanHall died Sunday, July 26, 2009. Bernices family includes her sons, Dennis J. VanHall of Grand Haven, Michael (Susan) VanHall of West Olive, John VanHall of IN; daughters, Patricia Sokolow of West Olive, Laurie (Jerry Miller) Vrablic of Grand Haven; 16 grandchildren; 19 great grandchildren; sister, Virginia Smith Voelker; sisters & brothers-in-law, Clayton (Nancy) VanHall, Edith (Cornelius) DeHaan, Charlotte Munch, Catherine Shelgren; special cousin, Mary Sabo; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her son, Kenneth Jr. in 2002; and son-in-law Ron Sokolow. A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, July 29, 2009, 2:00 p.m. at Lakeshore Cemetery with Rev. Greg Smith officiating. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com, where you can leave a favorite memory or make a memorial contribution to Harbor Hospice.