Susan's uncle John VandenBerg passed away this past Veterans' Day. He was the last of nine siblings and an older brother of Susan's father Tunis who passed away in 1999. This small video is a tribute to the family that Rotterdam natives Marinus VandenBerg and Nellie Visser brought into this world.
Random thoughts from Grand Rapids
With an emphasis on the word "random."
By-and-large it's been a quiet fall season here in Western Michigan. It was a gorgeous autumn and we have seen little of Father Winter or whatever he's calling himself these days.
A stroll through Meijer Gardens earlier in the season resulted in a couple of lovely shots of fall foliage along with an obscenely large pumpkin, which wasn't even orange.
Every since Uncle John went home to be cared for by his family we've tried to pitch in whenever possible to held ease the strain on Scott and Jen -- and it's always pleasure to share happy moments with sisters Jen and Melissa, Scott and granddaughter Claire.
In November Susie decided to weigh in on a couple of west Michigan craft shows to show off her talents and spread the word about the French Tarte.
The first one was at Saint Nicholas Church in Grand Rapids for a festival called Beneath the Wreath.
Oh, and just to keep everyone on their toes, here's a photo taken in of the Van Halsema clan at the wedding dinner for Gerard and Fran Van Halsema. Fran passed away recently here in Grand Rapids and a gathering of all her children brought lots of memories and stories to be recalled and shared.
Susan's second gig in November was a craft show at the Tri-Cities Museum in Grand Haven, MI.
For Thanksgiving several Van Halsema cousins gather at the Ten Have-Galloway home out at Clear Lake -- with Uncle John sitting up and in a chair!
Merry Christmas to you all!
By-and-large it's been a quiet fall season here in Western Michigan. It was a gorgeous autumn and we have seen little of Father Winter or whatever he's calling himself these days.
A stroll through Meijer Gardens earlier in the season resulted in a couple of lovely shots of fall foliage along with an obscenely large pumpkin, which wasn't even orange.
Every since Uncle John went home to be cared for by his family we've tried to pitch in whenever possible to held ease the strain on Scott and Jen -- and it's always pleasure to share happy moments with sisters Jen and Melissa, Scott and granddaughter Claire.
In November Susie decided to weigh in on a couple of west Michigan craft shows to show off her talents and spread the word about the French Tarte.
The first one was at Saint Nicholas Church in Grand Rapids for a festival called Beneath the Wreath.
Oh, and just to keep everyone on their toes, here's a photo taken in of the Van Halsema clan at the wedding dinner for Gerard and Fran Van Halsema. Fran passed away recently here in Grand Rapids and a gathering of all her children brought lots of memories and stories to be recalled and shared.
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| l-r: Betsy DeKorne, Jack DeKorme, Helen Van Halsema unknown male at the far end, Bernice and Tunis VandenBerg, unknown female, Nellie and Emo Van Halsema |
Susan's second gig in November was a craft show at the Tri-Cities Museum in Grand Haven, MI.
For Thanksgiving several Van Halsema cousins gather at the Ten Have-Galloway home out at Clear Lake -- with Uncle John sitting up and in a chair!
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Garrett and Laurie |
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| Claire, Scott and Jen |
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| Matt with Dude |
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| Melissa |
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| Robert, Melissa, Daniel Matthew, Megan and Jeff |
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| Cousins Maria and Megan |
Happy Birthday William J VandenBerg
The oldest child and oldest boy of Tunis VandenBerg and Bernice Van Halsema, William J VandenBerg 1950-2012.
Photo taken in 1955 at 413 Oak Street, Fremont, MI.
Photo taken in 1955 at 413 Oak Street, Fremont, MI.
Frances Jean Van Halsema
Susan's Aunt Fran passed away this past July and since her children are scattered to the winds it was decided to hold a memorial service for her later in the year. And yesterday was the day.
For those family unable to make the burial last summer here are few visual reminders of the day. Susan and her cousins also took a few moments to pay their respects to other family members also buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids.
For those family unable to make the burial last summer here are few visual reminders of the day. Susan and her cousins also took a few moments to pay their respects to other family members also buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids.
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| Aunt Will and Uncle Jim Quackenbush |
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| Mark Van Halsema |
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| Susan and her father Tunis VandenBerg |
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| Van Halsemas |
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