Gretchen Roer

Gretchen Roer lived her life buoyed by her beloved family, the family she doted on, cared for, and loved more than anything. She was a caring wife, loving mother and grandmother, who devoted each of her days to her family. They shared so many special years together at their home on the lake, a life she loved so dearly, and so richly deserved. Gretchen's story began on a cold winter day in 1915, in the little burg of Fruitport Township, in Muskegon County, Michigan. Those were such fascinating times in this country, as the automobile and the airplane were transforming society, as well as the world. On January 17, 1915, an immigrant couple named John and Berendina (Nyenhuis) Vandenberg celebrated another big change, with the birth of a baby girl, a daughter they named Gretchen. Gretchen was born on the family's farm in Fruitport Township, where her father grew vegetables to sell at the Muskegon Heights Farmer's Market, and her mother grew flowers to sell for extra income. She joined her two older brothers, Henry and Bill, and older sister Alice on the farm. Her brothers were born in her parents' homeland of The Netherlands, before they ventured to America in search of a better life, knowing no English upon their arrival. Gretchen attended Beach Elementary School in Cloverville, Michigan, and enjoyed having tea parties with her big sister when she was a little girl. Times were tough for them growing up on the farm, as money was tight, but there was always plenty to eat. Life was good growing up on the farm, and while Gretchen's hardworking father wasn't very involved in his children's daily lives, he did take the girls to pick Arbutus flowers in the springtime, and always hid jelly beans for them in the stump fence at Easter. Gretchen graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1933, and went on to attend Howell School of Business, working for Judge Ruth Thompson, doing clerical work, before graduating in 1935. Degree in hand, she went to work for the Sheldon Corporation in Muskegon, where she met a handsome young coworker named Rudy Roer. The two became engaged, Gretchen had an opportunity to work in Washington D.C. with the U.S. Dept. of The Interior. She lived in a rooming house, took advantage of the sights and scenes including the New York Worlds Fair. After a year, Gretchen missed home, and missed Rudy, too, so she moved back to Muskegon, resuming her romance with him. They were married in a small ceremony on October 20, 1939, at her parents' farm. The newlyweds started their married life on Bear Lake Road, near the lake, in Muskegon. After honeymooning in Niagra Falls, Rudy provided for his bride by working at Sheldon, and the two enjoyed ice skating on the Muskegon Causeway in the wintertime. It wasn't long, however, before the newlyweds became parents, as well. Their first child, daughter Inez, was born in 1941 at Mercy Hospital, and the new parents couldn't have been more thrilled. To make room for their growing family, the couple bought a cottage on West Lake, and winterized it, a very smart move, considering their first year there a major snowstorm hit the area! The family adopted a dog named Curly, adding to their family again. The family loved their home on West Lake, and Gretchen loved the "lake life." She didn't know how to swim (she didn't like to get her face wet!), but she loved fishing in the summer and ice skating in the winter. Gretchen and Rudy were also faithful members of the Twin Lake Methodist Church, both being lifelong Methodists. In 1949, the family moved to a larger home on West Lake. Little did they know, they'd need the extra room soon enough! In 1951, on a hot Fourth of July, they celebrated the birth of their second child, son Terry, at Hackley Hospital in Muskegon. Their family was finally complete. Inez, then a precocious 10-year-old, once took her newborn baby brother to her friends' house down the dirt road as her "toy." Gretchen, as you can imagine, was not pleased. But being a caring, compassionate - and forgiving - mother, she simply brought her kids home safely. When Terry was five, Gretchen went back to work, at a temp agency, and eventually as an executive secretary at Ott Chemical. She also found time for her many activities, from Canasta Club, the PTA, and playing Scrabble, to making elaborate clothes and Halloween costumes. The family enjoyed their life together, and were out on the lake in their little 12-foot Sea Nymph boat nearly every day. Their home was a hotbed of activity, with an open door to friends and family, enjoying picnics and bon fires. Gretchen made friends easily, with her feisty personality and great sense of humor. Inez baby-sat for her little brother often, and even taught him to water ski. When he was older, Terry became an excellent skier, and even performed at the Grand Haven ski shows, which Gretchen and Rudy loved attending. In 1959, the family moved to Bear Lake, to Rudy's mother's home, after a complete renovation. There she enjoyed so many of her hobbies, including mushroom-hunting, ceramics, sketching, painting, poetry, quilting, reading, and playing word games, and loved the home most of all. Gretchen was also very involved in her children's lives, and instilled great values and upbringing in them. She could be strict, too, and was always telling Terry to take his elbows off the table, to sit up straight, and to cut his hair! It was sometimes difficult for her kids to meet her high standards, but she only wanted the best for them. In 1968, Inez and her husband Gordon gave Gretchen a wonderful gift - her first granddaughter, Deanna! Eventually her life would be filled with five grandchildren, Sue, Steve, Rocky, and Carissa; and 5 greatgrandchildren, Katy, Christian, Max, LilyGrace and Brad, who made her so proud, just as her own children did. Rudy and Gretchen both retired in 1976, and began spending their winters in Harlingen, Texas, not far from the Gulf of Mexico. But Rudy's declining health caused them to stay home in Michigan, and he sadly died in August of 1979 due to heart failure. Gretchen was deeply saddened, but life went on for her, as her true strength shone through. Gretchen began to travel more, visiting incredible places like China, Russia, the Holy Land, Australia, and Europe, as well. She also filled her days with her beloved family, her children and grandchildren, who meant so much to her. In 2002, she reluctantly moved to Jenison into an independent living facility, close to Inez and Gordon, and two years later moved to assisted living in the same facility. As her mental health declined, she remained active, and still enjoyed word games. Sadly, on Sunday, March 25, 2007, Gretchen died at the age of 92. Gretchen was a wonderful woman, a woman of such great honesty, integrity, and strength, an independent, intelligent woman. She was creative, and she was thoughtful, thrifty yet generous. Gretchen lived a long and full life, a life full of family, fun and friendship, a life she so richly deserved. We were so blessed to have shared it with her. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by 1 son, Terry of Belding, MI; 1 daughter Inez ( Gordon ) Oberg of Grandville, MI;5 grandchildren, Deanna, Sue, Steve, Rocky, and Carissa; 5 greatgrandchildren, Katy, Christian, Max, LilyGrace and Brad; several nieces and nephews. Services are Wednesday, March 28, 2007, 11am at Clock Chapel with Pastor Joan Oleson officiating. Interment at Laketon Twp. Cemetery. Visitation is Tuesday 6-8pm at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. MEMORIAL: Faith Hospice of Holland Home or The Alzheimers Assosciation. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or sign the online guest book.