Marlene Koning was a loving, friendly, and outgoing woman who was endlessly devoted to her loved ones. Whether she was spending time with her family, giving her time as part of a volunteer effort, or committing to responsibilities at church, Marlene was a woman of great character and faith.

The 1930s were a difficult time for Americans, who were experiencing the effects of the Great Depression. There were still many things to celebrate, however, like flourishing love and growing families. Gerrit and Susan (Streur) Visscher were blessed to have a daughter, Marlene, who was born in Holland, Michigan on August 7, 1932. Marlene’s parents divorced when she was two. She and her brother Dale, who was only a baby, went to live with their aunt and uncle, Rich and Jackie Streur. Her mother, Susan, remarried when

Marlene was nine years old, to a man named Henry Sandy. Marlene loved her new dad very much. He did not have any children of his own, so Marlene and Dale were very special to him. When she was in her teens, Marlene had a horse named Patches that was very special to her. Enjoying an active childhood, Marlene was very involved at school, and eventually became a Dutch Dancer at Holland High School. This tradition continues to be an important part of Holland’s Tulip Time Festival every year, celebrating Dutch heritage.

It was not long before Marlene grew into a beautiful young woman, and her virtues were such that it was hard not to notice

her grace. When she was set up on a blind date with a man named Roger, the two felt an instant

connection. The date was arranged by Dale and Mary Van Langeveld. Her father, Henry Sandy, would not allow her to get married until she was 19. She turned 19 on August 7, 1951 and they got married on August 9, 1951, wasting no time once they knew what they wanted. They got married on a Thursday evening at 8PM at First Reformed Church in Holland. They honeymooned in Rock City and Florida. This was the beginning of a beautiful life for Marlene and Roger,

who were about to embark on a lifelong journey together.

The couple was blessed with four wonderful children, Rita, Rhonda, Roxanne, and Ross. Things that were important in their family life were church and family. As

parents, Marlene and Roger showed the love of church to their children in what they said and how they lived their lives, setting examples of compassion,

gratitude, and kindness. Family vacations were taken to Lake City,

Michigan every July. They always went with their Uncle Kenny and Aunt Arloa and their children. The first year that they went, the children were not allowed to swim on Sunday. That particular year, Sunday was the only day that it did not rain. The following year, they got to swim on Sunday also. They loved to travel as a family, making it to Florida, Washington DC, Virginia and Pennsylvania, where they got to be in the audience for the Mike Douglas Show. They also loved to travel to Hawaii. Rhonda and Rita took Marlene to Branson, Missouri before she went into the nursing home. Mom also went to Hawaii with her mother and with her children.

Marlene worked many jobs throughout the years, willing to put in endless effort to help support her family. She worked at Baker Furniture until she was about 3 months pregnant with Rita. In those days, once you started “showing”, you had to quit working. When her children were little kids, she also worked at Dutch Maid, (Which is where Muzzy’s use to be). One of her favorite jobs was being an Avon lady or as she was often called, the ding dong lady. She loved that job because she was a such a personable woman and she always looked so “put together”. She also worked at Haworth and Crown Cadillac. Later on in life, Marlene would volunteer for Wedgwood Acres and Kids Hope, always finding ways to stay committed to her love for children. She also volunteered at Holland Hospital delivering mail.

Being a caring mother and wife, she did love to cook meatloaf and stew. She also had to make jello with every evening meal. She was well known for her banana bread, and Pastor Dan along with many friends and neighbors were fortunate to

be on the receiving end of the banana bread. She and Roger loved to go out for dinner on Saturday nights. They enjoyed many restaurants, but especially Duba’s and Holly’s Landing.

Faith was always an important part of Marlene’s life, and she attended First Reformed Church in Holland. She sang in the choir, was part of the ladies guild, and Bible study. She also was a Kids Hope volunteer. She enjoyed listening to music by Elvis, The Oak Ridge boys, the Gaithers and any other Christian Music. Some of her favorite television shows - Lawrence Welk,

Jeopardy, Oprah, Wheel of Fortune, Price is Right and we can’t forget As the World Turns and the Young and the Restless. Marlene was the type of woman who could be happy doing just about anything, as long as her faith was strong and her family nearby.

Marlene was not a person who needed things. She did enjoy her antiques, especially her antique telephone and her bowl and pitcher. She also had an antique dinner bell that she used to call Ross to dinner. She enjoyed having shoes, purses and jewelry to go with every outfit and she had lots of outfits. She collected angels also. The family Christmas tree was never complete until it was loaded with

tinsel. She loved knitting, walking and socializing. Above all else, family was the most important thing in Marlene’s life.

Marlene had so many wonderful qualities. She made it her mission to hug any one at church on Sunday, but especially the people who lived alone. If someone was sick or lost a loved one, she was one of the first people to deliver a meal.

She had one other mission, and that was sending greeting cards. She would buy them in bulk, so just when you needed an uplift, a card would arrive from

Marlene. She always had time to listen to her children’s concerns, and never hesitated to express to them how much she loved them no matter what the circumstances.

The family of Marlene Koning wants to thank all her friends who prayed for her, sent cards, and visited her during this difficult period of her life.

Marlene Koning age 77 of Holland, went to be with her Lord, Thursday, November 26, 2009 at Resthaven Care Center, following a lengthy battle with Alzheimer’s. She will be so deeply missed and live on in the hearts of her loved ones.

She was preceded in death by her husband Roger in 2000. Surviving are her children, Rita and Steven Falk, Rhonda and Mike Petzak, Roxanne Castle, and Ross and Mary Koning all of Holland; 9 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren; brothers, Gary Dale and Marsha Visscher

of Ludington, Bill Hamlin of Jenison, Richard and Betty Hamlin of San Diego, CA, and George and Becky Farwell of Portsmouth, VA;

in-laws, Ken and Arloa Koning of Holland, George Nykamp of Pana, IL, Marcia and Melvin Greving of Holland, and Patricia McVea of Douglas; several nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Funeral services will be 1 pm Monday at the First Reformed Church, 630 State Street, with the Rev. Dr. Daniel Gillett and Rev. Dick Doeden officiating. Burial will be in the Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visiting will be 4-6 pm Sunday at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street. Memorial contributions may be made to Resthaven Care Center or the Alzheimer’s Association.