Deane Van Lare

Deane P. Van Lare was a courageous and motivated woman who never let anything prevent her from achieving her goals. She was a devoted and caring matriarch who would move heaven and earth for her children. Deane was born way back in the spring of 1902.

America was experiencing it's first major industrial boom and people's hearts were somewhat lightened by the receding depression from the previous decade. It was the golden era of industry in America, unchecked and unscrupulous. Into these ever-changing times came Deane, born to a farming family in Holland.

Deane had 5 older siblings, the youngest of whom was 7 years older than Deane. She spent most of her childhood tagging along with her older brothers and sisters, playing among the fields of the family farm. Deane's father had been a schoolteacher before he turned to farming, so he greatly valued the importance of education. Like her siblings before her, Deane went to class in the small country schoolhouse located across the street from the church. Though it was sort of rare for the times, Deane completed her primary education and graduated from Holland High School with the class of 1920. Deane had a drive and motivation that set her apart from other girls. She went on to attend class at Hope College where she aimed to be a math major and tennis player. It was here that she met her future husband Elmer Van Lare who was studying to become a minister. While he was in seminary Deane taught Math in Otisville, MI. After Elmer finished seminary in 1928, the couple married.

As a preacher, Elmer moved around to different churches gaining valuable experience as he went. Deane went along with him, as the wife of a preacher had special and active roles to play in the life of the church in those days. Carol, their first child, was born in 1930. Deane and Elmer followed Carol up with a set of twin boys, Larry and Donald in 1932. Just a few years later, Elmer contracted Pneumonia and died. Determined not to let her children down despite their loss, Deane moved the family back to Holland where they lived temporarily with Deane's father, Hubert; while Deane renewed her teaching certificate at Hope. A neighbor on 12th Street was the Superintendent of the Holland Public School System and kindly offered Deane a job upon completion of her degree.

With a means for supporting her family, Deane moved out of her father's home and into an apartment on 11th Street. Deane had help raising her three children. Deane's sister Kate and brother John along with Deane's good friend Jessie all helped raise the three kids. Uncle John and Aunts Kate and Jessie would always come to Deane's place for the all-important Sunday dinner. Jessie and Deane used to cook up quite a storm in the early years.

Deane was a very focused woman. She sold the family car when Elmer died and never drove for the rest of her life. She needed to walk everywhere she went - even into her 90's. Her short legs carried her all over Holland at a remarkable pace. As a teacher, she held high standards for all of her students and achieved spectacular results with those she taught. She wasn't hard on the kids, but instead coaxed them to success through love and individual attention. When Donald and Larry were in their teens, they kept pestering Deane to let them buy a boat. The two set pins at a local bowling alley and they finally earned enough cash to buy a boat. Deane allowed the boys to buy a small sailboat and the family began to sail the lakes together. Deane couldn't swim at all, but that didn't keep her off the water. She learned to be an excellent crewman on her sons' boat and would even sail late into November if she felt like it. One time she fell out of a dinghy and would have drowned had a friend on the dock not rescued her. Undeterred, she put on some dry clothes and went back out on the water later that day. Deane also enjoyed traveling. Aunt Kate and Deane took the family on a summer vacation somewhere almost every summer (Kate drove) and Deane went west once with a group of teachers. No matter what the family did together, they always had a blast. Deane continued to teach after her children had grown up. She was a faithful member at 3rd Reformed Church throughout her life. Deane retired from the school system when she was 65. She used her retirement to spend time with her children and grandchildren which brought her great happiness. She never passed up the opportunity to baby-sit for the grandkids. She also continued to sail with her sons at every opportunity; she loved the challenge and excitement of cruising the open water. Deane continued to walk wherever she went, as long as her legs held out. At the age of 87, she spent 3 days at Walt Disney World riding the rides.

Deane was not only fearless; she was kind and giving. During retirement, she befriended a woman named Elizabeth Bennett, the daughter of a close friend who lived in an assisted care home. After Elizabeth's mother died and she needed special attention, not to mention some companionship. Deane used to walk to the assisted care home once or twice a week and spend time with Elizabeth and see that she wasn't lonely. Deane touched many lives during the course of her life. She used her benevolent ambition to bring light to family, friends and students alike.

Deane passed away on Sunday June 29th, 2003 at her home. She is preceded in death by her husband Elmer in 1935 and a grandson Mark Van Lare in 1987. She is survived by her children Carol Hoekenga of Holland, Larry (Dale) Van Lare of Holland, Donald and Lois Van Lare of Holland; 9 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; in-laws Mabel Tanner of New Jersey, Gladys Smart of New York; several nieces, nephews and cousins. Services will be held at 11:00 AM Thursday at Third Reformed Church of Holland with the Reverend William Unzicker officiating. Burial will be made in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Friends may visit the family from 7-9 PM Wednesday at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, located 188 West 32nd Street. To read Deane's complete life story, share a memory, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to Third Reformed Church, Hope College , and Hospices of Holland, please visit her personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com. No matter what life threw at Deane, she was always driven to accomplish her goals. Her kindness and devotion will be greatly missed.