Carol Crozier

Carol Ann Crozier placed her family at the center of her life, and she was always the happiest in their warm company. Carol was a loving wife and a dedicated mother and grandma, as well as a friend to many. Her kind heart and unconditional love earned her a permanent place in the hearts of a great many.

With the end of the Second World War in the year 1945, thousands of young American soldiers returned home to their civilian lives and families. The baby boom was quickly underway, and in Holland, Michigan , Edward Hulst and his wife Francis Swartz were among the many expecting parents. On September 25, 1945, they were blessed with the healthy birth of their youngest child Carol.

Carol enjoyed a happy, peaceful childhood in Holland, Michigan. Her parents worked hard to support their growing family, and she grew up with the company of her three older brothers Kenneth, Gordon, and Jack--you can imagine how protective they were of their baby sister! Her brothers were her protectors, but every so often their good intentions went a little too far. Carol attended the Holland Public Schools, and also participated in a number of community events, including Tulip Time and Dutch Dancing. She enjoyed playing the piano and took her lessons very seriously. When the weather was nice, she liked to play tennis with her friends.

Carol attended Holland High School , and it was in its hallways that she met the love of her life, a handsome young man named Jim Crozier. She approached him, and after they fell into an easy conversation, she suggested that they go out sometime. A relationship quickly blossomed, and a few years later, on August 27, 1965, the young couple was happily united in marriage.

Carol attended Hope College for one and a half years, but upon marrying, she traded out her role as a student to begin her family life together with Jim. They expanded their new family when they were blessed with two beautiful children, Lisa and Jim, Jr.

A few years later, Carol became a student once more by returning to Grand Valley State University , from where she graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in 1976. She began her teaching career as a substitute. Soon she landed a job as the first grade teacher at the Harrington School in Holland. One year later, she began teaching the second grade. A job she would keep until her retirement in the year 2003.

The Croziers were a very tightly knit family. Several times each year they would all go on vacation together, with destinations including Quebec, the East Coast, Denver, and Washington D.C. They also enjoyed traveling around Michigan and going out on the family boat. But change was always a big part of the trips. Usually camping trips went from sleeping in tents, to not sleeping in tents, to searching for a hotel with last minute vacancies. Jim, Sr., enjoyed spending the night in a tent, but when the rest of the family laid their votes, he was usually outnumbered. Carol liked to travel to warmer climates, especially during the spring break. She loved to be in the sun with beach sand between her toes, or on the boat with a warm breeze swaying her hair.

At home, Carol exercised all the time, and especially enjoyed step aerobics, jazzercise, and golf with her close friends. She enjoyed reading and was a member of a book club with a few other teachers from school; she also worked part time at Hope Bookstore. Carol was an active member in the congregation of Christ Memorial Church , and belonged to the Ladies Group that helped prepare funeral lunches.

In her later life, Carol was thrilled to see her family grow with the blessing of grandchildren. She loved seeing her granddaughters and enjoyed driving them all over the place, from school functions to games to the movie theater to catch a new release.

Holidays were always a special time for Carol. She loved the opportunity to bring her entire family together around a single dinner table. These holidays have provided many great memories, like the Christmas when Carol put pigs-in-the-blanket in the oven and forgot about them. When the family returned after the morning services, Carol opened the oven and immediately a grease fire erupted. Her son-in-law Darren doused the flames with a fire extinguisher, and later on, neighbors brought food over for Christmas dinner. But the effects of the fire still showed on the presents, which were caked with a layer of flame retardant dust.

Carol touched the lives of all who knew her with her courage, generosity, and unconditional love. Throughout her illness, she never complained. Instead, she remained the person she always was: a woman who thinks of others before herself, and tries each day to bring happiness into the lives of those closest to her.

Carol died on Saturday, June 11, 2005, at the Hospice House of Holland. She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Jim; her children, Lisa and Darren Klemetson, of Canton, MI, and Jim and Lisa Crozier; five granddaughters; brothers, Ken and Rachel Hulst, of Jackson, Gordon and Carolyn Hulst, of Holland, and Jack and Rev. Mary Hulst, of Denver; In-laws, John and Barb Crozier, of Spring Lake, and Carol Ann Crozier, of Freemont. She is also survived by several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Funeral services are scheduled for Tuesday, 11:00AM, at Christ Memorial Church. Officiating will be the Rev. Wilbur Daniels. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery . Visitation is scheduled for Monday, from 2-4, and 7-9 PM, at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 188 W. 32nd Street . Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland , or to the American Cancer Society. Please visit Carol's personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign the guestbook, share a memory, make a memorial contribution, or order flowers online.

Jim would like to thank everyone for their support over this time in dealing with Carol's illness, from the doctors, nurses, friends, family, and everyone they came into contact with. Carol was a unique, kind-hearted woman who will be greatly missed and frequently remembered.