Lois L. Huizenga

With a zest for life that was easy to see, Lois Huizenga brought such joy to the world around her. She had a special way of making others feel at ease and never worried about building great wealth or gaining accolades from others. Lois was a devoted wife, mother and daughter who was blessed to witness her family tree blossom to include children and grandchildren. She treasured her three children, her six grandchildren and her loving husband Heinie Huizenga. Lois was very kind and generous with her loving parents, Carl (Oscar) Jubell and Alta (Coppock) Jubell. Even though life gave her a few hard blows during her younger years, she grew up stronger and taught her to cherish her loved ones even more. She didn't take life for granted, she wanted to enjoy life to its fullest. And we, her family were lucky enough to go along for the ride! Lois was born on July 28, 1932. The 1930's were some of the most difficult years our nation has ever seen as the entire nation was cloaked in the hardship of the Great Depression. Jobs were scarce and the unemployment rate soared, leaving people to find joy in whatever they could. Lois was one of those special joys to her parents and big brothers Robert 12 years and Clare 9 years. She was their "happy surprise". Lois grew up near the railroad tracks on Superior Street and later on Jiroch Street. Lois' father worked as a machinist at Sealed Power while her mother was a LPN at Hackley Hospital. Their family was given a tough pill to swallow when both of her big brothers died in the spring of 1942. Robert was diagnosed of cancer while he was serving in the Air Force and died at the young age of 22 and while grieving for her brother, her other brother Clare was killed in an automobile accident. He was 19 years old...leaving Lois an only child. Aside from the harsh reality of the deaths of both of her brothers, Lois and her parents grieved and eventually got on with their lives. Lois attended Moon School and later graduated from Muskegon High School in 1950. During her Senior year at MHS, she began her career as a Transcriptionist with Hackley Hospital's Polio Department. Not to be forgotten during her years as a young woman, Lois was introduced to a young man named Henry Jack (Heine) Huizenga. They met at Muskegon High School, dated over Hot Fudge Sundaes at the Occidental Hotel Snack Shoppe and fell in love. Like many other young men of the time, Heine was called to serve in the Korea during the days of the the Korean Conflict. And it was while he was over seas that he and Lois became engaged. Deeply in love, the sweethearts were married at Central Methodist Church in Muskegon on August 14, 1954. It was easy to see that Lois loved being a wife. They were equally overjoyed to welcome three children into their hearts and home including Robert in 1956, Lee Ann in 1958 and little sister Vicki in 1960. Lois and Heine raised their children in a home on Vesta Road in Laketon Township in North Muskegon. Lois loved being a mom but also knew she had to help her family by working full time. She was always attentive to her family needs but also knew that her employment would help Heine and her family. Lois not only worked full time but cared for her now elderly parents and aunt. She managed three active kid's schedules and volunteered her extra time to her church. She was always busy doing whatever needed to be done and she did it well. Lois and Heine always worked hard but knew how to have fun with their kids and friends. Weekends were spent camping and exploring Michigan. Weeknights you would find the Huizenga and the Olds families having many dinners together or going to watch movies at the outdoor theaters. One of the many great memories we had together was taking road trips in Ellery Olds old orange International truck. All eleven of us would pile in, sing songs and eat apples while Ellery and Heine terrified us driving up and down huge hills. Lois and Marlyn would be laughing and screaming all the way down the hills. There were several years of camping with the Sheilds, Olds and Doctor families at Pioneer Park and special trips to Pickeral Lake. Such fun! Lois and Heine decided early on in their marriage to budget for fun. They kept a pretty tight budget so they could splurge with a family vacation to Florida each year. No matter where their family went, Lois and Heine made great friends and their friendships continued for years. The family also enjoyed entertaining friends at their backyard pool. Henry and Lois also enjoyed great jobs. Heine built and maintained several beautiful golf courses while Lois worked as a medical transcriptionist for several orthopedic surgeons. Lois retired after working 55 years at her craft. She was one of the fastest typists in town! Both Lois and Heine retired in 2002. Lois lost her loving husband and partner Heine after a two year battle with Pancreatic cancer. She lovingly cared for him along with support from her friends and family. Before his death, Lois and Henry attended First Lutheran Church and Our Saviors Lutheran Church. She volunteered with the Church Alter Guild and were members at the Viking Lodge in Muskegon. She treasured her adult friendships with both Ellery and Marlyn Olds, Mart and Lollie Shields, Her girlfriends Loree Chase and Leischen Hoeksema, Char Schoonbeck, Jane Reagan and Ruby Erbes. Lois also adored her six grandchildren, Cherish, Chrissy, Ben, Jimmy, Sam and Ashley. She wasn't your typical "old lady grandma" that made you cookies. Grandma Lois liked taking the kids shopping, movies and to the Plays at the Frauenthal. She loved having sleepovers once in awhile, making her famous "dirt" dessert with candy worms and all for the kids to enjoy. She loved to read and play dominos with the kids but never seemed to win. She was a cool grandma. All who knew Lois Huizenga would agree that she was a lot of fun to be around. She was generous and kindhearted with an unending love for her family and friends. Life will never be the same without her. But her family takes great comfort knowing that when she left her earthly home here, she was reunited with "her Heine, her loving parents and her two big brothers. Lois L. Huizenga entered Heaven on Wednesday, April 24, 2013. Lois' family includes her son, Robert (Brenda) Huizenga of North Muskegon; daughters, Lee Ann (James) White of Muskegon, Vicki Moran of Muskegon; grandchildren, Cherish Huizenga, Christen (fiance Ryan Forth), Ben Gorbach, Jimmy White, Sam White and Ashley Moran; brother-in-law, Martin Huizenga of Muskegon; nieces, Donna (Mike) Fairfield of Muskegon and Sue Ford of Canada; very special friends, Ellery Olds and family. She was preceded in death by her husband, Henry; parents, Oscar and Alta Jubell; brothers, Robert and Clare Jubell. Services will be held on Monday, April 29, 2013, 11:00 a.m. And visitation one hour prior to the service at Clock Chapel-Muskegon with Rev. Julie Winklepleck officiating. Memorials can be made to Harbor Hospice-Poppen House or Muskegon Rescue Mission.