Earl Laman

Rev. Dr. Earl Laman, of Holland, MI, died peacefully at home on December 13, 2024. He was born on September 17, 1931, to parents Arthur and Cora (Schuitema) Laman in Muskegon, MI. He was a man that touched countless lives in deep and meaningful ways, as connecting with others was his life’s passion. He achieved a rare form of greatness, changing lives and improving the world through caring and relationships, with a sincere drive to hear and understand the stories of everyone he had a chance to meet. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he was relentless in his compassion, love, and encouragement. This passion radiated through his relationships with family and friends, as well as his career as a psychotherapist.

Hearing and telling stories was a theme throughout his life. With family, he would often share tales of his childhood and earlier life, many of them funny, some painful and real. He was always a writer, both of poetry and prose, seeking to share stories that portrayed the universal human struggle toward self-realization and true connections, despite the obstacles that life imposes. Hundreds of poems, countless short stories, and four novels will carry his voice forward. Earl also shared his voice through music. His strong tenor voice was shared in churches and community events starting early I life, and he and Char passed on their love of music to their children and continuing generations.

One of the ways Earl loved to connect with others was through humor. Somehow, he made corny jokes and puns a joy to others – only occasionally embarrassing his children. While always real about the hard parts of life, he knew that sharing laughter was a special way to engage with others. He was the most fun grandfather possible, and loved to engage with grandchildren around nature, and through the silliest of play, looking fantastic in the wild dress-up costumes they were constantly creating.

He met the love of his life, and wife of 72 years, Char, during childhood, and they began dating as young teens. They married on June 26, 1952, as she worked at Hope College while Earl finished his degree in English, graduating in 1953. Earl and Char stayed in Holland while he attended Western Theological Seminary for the next three years. During that time, they brought their first two children into the world, Jan first, then Dave two years later. After graduating seminary in 1957, Earl took the first of many giant leaps in his life – he loaded up his family and left everything and everyone they knew, and moved to tiny Nooksack, Washington, to serve as pastor to the little steepled church there. During the three years in Nooksack, they grew their family by two – first Mark, then Barbara.

In 1960, Earl took his next giant leap – moving to Great Falls, Montana, to start a new church, beginning in a school cafeteria, and then founding Christ’s Church on the Hill in the outskirts of Great Falls. In Montana, Earl’s spiritual connection to nature flourished. His deep ties with nature and his caring for people began deepening his spirituality far beyond his theological training.

Another giant leap ensued, as, in 1970, Earl and Char moved their family to Des Plaines, Illinois, so Earl could engage in an intensive year of training in Marriage and Family Therapy, and Char could begin her teaching career. Thus began his many years of working with people as a psychotherapist. In the early 70’s in collaboration with LaSalle Street Church, he founded the Near North Counseling Center in downtown Chicago. During this time, he pursued his doctorate in psychotherapy through Bethany Seminary, graduating in 1979. Soon after, he shifted to working in private practice in suburban Chicago, and even continued to provide therapy and supervision long after “retirement.” The lives he touched through his relationship-based therapy are countless.

In 1991, Earl and Char retired and returned to their roots in Holland, mainly to be near children and grandchildren. Retirement for Earl did not mean slowing down. He was very involved with the mission of Hope Church and many groups and causes he believed in. He was active and outspoken in “expanding the table” to include all humans and fought for reconciliation and full acceptance across racial and LGBTQ+ social and religious barriers. He was also a volunteer coordinator for the Community Kitchen in Holland for many years. He was an active member of the Hope Academy of Senior Professionals, and in many men’s groups, especially connected to “Gentlemen of a Certain Age” in his later years.

Earl lives on in the hearts of his family and friends and is survived by his soul-mate Char and their four children: Jan Laman (Bill Schoonveld), Dave Laman (Dawn), Mark Laman (Cindy), and Barbara Laman Coon (Marty). His grandchildren include Brittany Evans, Taylor Carney, Patrick Schoonveld, and Paul Schoonveld; Noah Laman, Cory Laman, and Hannah Laman; Sarah Laman-Davis, Becca Van Liere, Isaac Laman; Josh Lam, Johnny Lam, and Jaime Coon. He also lives on through 15 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his dear brother Gordon Laman (Natalie), and close brother-in-law Jack Bos.

Earl was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur and Cora Laman, brother Roger Laman, and sister Joan Laman.

A memorial service to celebrate Earl’s life will be held at Hope Church on Saturday, December 21, 2024. Visitation will begin at 1:00pm, with service following at 2:00pm. A reception will take place after the service, providing an opportunity for friends and family to share memories, laugh, and support one another. Please visit dykstrafuneralhome.com for further information. The service will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@hopechurchrca/featured - for those who wish to view. Arrangements are by Dykstra Funeral Homes-Downtown Chapel.