Caryl Van Houten

Caryl J. Van Houten was a true lady. Although she was sometimes shy, she was always warm and gracious with those around her. She considered nature one of God’s gifts and was very aware of how we affect the environment. Artistic and imaginative, she brightened the world around her, and brought smiles to the faces of those she loved – a true lady.

1930 found our country in the depths of the Depression, and as unemployment soared and the rumblings of discontent shook Europe, Stanley and Lena (Tiesinga) Curtis were finding hope in their community of Holland, Michigan with the birth of their third child, a daughter they named Caryl, born July 16, 1930. Robert was the eldest of the Curtis children, followed by Dorothy, who was ten years older than Caryl. Dorothy often made clothes for her baby sister, much like a young girl would for her doll.

Times were tough but the family was fortunate that Stanley, with a degree in Marine Engineering,had a steady job at the Holland Furnace Co. His reputation was such that the Curtis Center in Holland is named after him. Lena was a stay-at-home mother with three children to care for, but also found time to be active with the community mothers. Her Dutch costume can be seen in the Holland Museum. The family home was on College and 7th St. Stanley and Lena supplemented their income by taking boarders into their cottage on Lake Macatawa.

Caryl developed her love of nature and the outdoors at an early age. Living on a lake gave her the opportunity to experience all the lake had to offer. Her father taught her how to sail, a pastime she would enjoy the rest of her life. As time went on, she became an accomplished swimmer and taught swimming classes for the Coast Guard in Holland. The two family dogs, “Jeff” and “Red” were often her companions, and in spite of the age difference, Caryl was always close to her brother and sister.

Caryl graduated from Holland High School and went on to attend Hope College in Holland. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1952, and over the years taught second grade in Lansing, Michigan and in Holland.

Shortly after graduating from Hope, and now teaching in Holland, Caryl was at the lake when she met a young man named John “Jack” Ewart. He had rented a room next door and when he spied this beautiful young lady working on a boat , there was an immediate attraction. The wedding took place in 1954, and since they both loved the outdoors, a backpacking trip for a honeymoon seemed appropriate.

Now ready to start her own family, Caryl was delighted when her first daughter, Claire, was born in 1958 . Jack worked for Miles Laboratories, and with a family to support, moved to New Jersey in 1960. Claire soon became big sister to Gwen and Julie. Over the next few years, Caryl and family also lived in Elkhart, Indiana and Edwardsville, Illinois. She loved being a mother and sharing her love of nature with her children. Living on a lake often meant that turtles, snakes, and other water creatures would come home with the girls, but that was always fine with Caryl. Being a very creative person, it was important that her children learn to see the beauty in everything and she worked hard to give them the freedom and knowledge to express their feelings.

When Caryl and Jack decided to divorce, Caryl moved back to Holland once again. She continued to enjoy sailing,gardening and traveling and while attending a Coast Guard Auxiliary Ball – she was an active member of the Auxiliary – Caryl met Arthur Van Houten. A romance soon blossomed and Caryl and Art were married in 1991. Art worked for General Motors and Caryl moved again, this time to Wyoming, Michigan. Sadly, Art died in 2006 and Caryl moved back to her beloved Holland.

Through the years, other dogs had joined the family ranks, and Caryl found great pleasure in the company of “Ring”, “Queen” and “Holly”. She loved music and took personal enjoyment in playing the violin and piano. Like her mother, Caryl was proud of her Dutch heritage and shared those traditions with her daughters. She was a member of Christ Memorial Church and considered this a second family. Many happy times were spent in the company of her best friends, Betty Cook – who had been a friend since grade school and was also a neighbor – and Lori Fenske. In spite of her busy schedule, she even found time for gardening and swimming in Lake Michigan.

Caryl Van Houten did not waste a moment of her life. She filled it with family, friends and wonderful memories. But perhaps the best memory? The memory of Caryl’s life carried in the hearts of those she loved.

Caryl J. Van Houten, age 77, of Holland, died Friday February 8, 2008 at the Hospice House of Holland. Caryl is survived by her daughters, Claire (Tom Herr) Ewart, of Ft. Wayne IN, Gwen (Bob Thomas) Ewart of Los Angeles, CA, Julie (Cindy Freeman) Ewart, of Marion, IN, grandchildren, Celeste Herr, Sgt. T.J. Freeman US Army, Samantha Swinney, and Cody Freeman-Ewart, great grandchildren, Grace and Rebecca Swinney, sister, Dorothy ( Harold) Dykema of St. Charles, MI, brother, Robert Curtis of Holland, step children, Karen (Greg) Dykema of Hudsonville MI, Kevin (Erica) Van Houten of Detroit, MI, Mike(Kathy) Van Houten of California, John (Marilyn) Van Houten of Big Rapids, MI, and 3 step grandchildren. The family will receive friends Friday from 6-8 P.M at the Mulder Chapel of Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 188 W. 32nd St. Holland. Memorial services will be held 11:00 A.M Saturday in the Sanctuary of Christ Memorial Reformed Church , 595 Graafschap Rd. Holland. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Caryl Curtis-Van Houten Hope College Scholarship Fund. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory for the family, or sign the online guest book.