Esther Janssen

Esther Irene Janssen, age 94, of Holland, formerly of Sarasota, FL, passed away on July 12, 2008, at Lakeside Vista. She was born on October 23, 1913 in Kalamazoo to John Laurence and Anna Kathryn (VanderPloeg) Lage. She was a graduate of Zeeland High School and Davenport College. She and her husband, Albert J. Janssen, and their daughters, were long-time residents of Zeeland before moving to Waukazoo Woods in 1968. In 1984 she and her husband retired to Sarasota, FL. She was an active member of the Second Reformed Church in Zeeland, the Zeeland Literary Club, a Girl Scout leader and was a tireless volunteer for the American Cancer Society. She also worked in the family business, Janssen Farms Hatcheries for many years. Mrs. Janssen was an avid golfer, and it was her special joy to take her grandson, Thomas Leggett, out on the links when he was only seven years old. Together they enjoyed some great rounds of golf in Michigan and in Florida. She was also a lover of bridge, particularly duplicate bridge. Another of her passions was sewing, and she was a marvelous seamstress, having created numerous articles of clothing for her family and friends as well.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Albert J. Janssen in 1988. Her family includes daughters. Kit(Kathryn) Janssen Leggett of Holland, Emily Janssen Mahoney of Sarasota, FL, Laura Janssen and her husband, John Hopping of Oakland, CA, and Lorraine Janssen of Bradenton, FL. Her grandchildren are Thomas Leggett and his fiancee, Gabrielle Robinson, both of Sarasota, FL, Damien, Diana, Stephanie and Nicholas Hopping all of California. Relatives include in-laws, Jane Janssen of Spring Lake, Jay Janssen of Zeeland and Virgil Janssen of Ann Arbor; also a special niece, Micki Janssen of Holland and a special nephew, Charley Janssen of Lansing and several other nieces and nephews.

Mrs. Janssen's daughters and grandchildren wish to express their gratitude to some very special individuals who touched their mother's and grandmother's life in such compassionate ways. They include Dr. Russ Dykstra for his guidance; Rachel Boeve, Melissa Roessing, Rev. Jerry Van Heest, Tim Alicki, Rebecca Huddleston, Pam Krouse and Adrienne Smith of the Hospice staff; Michelle Hernandez, Jennifer Udell, Matt Mogck, Julius Burt, Rachel Paillet, Lindsey Cavasos and Katie Schout of the Lakeside Vista staff.

A celebration of Mrs. Janssen's life will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008 at Third Reformed Church, 111 W. 13th St., Holland with Revs. Dianne Wyngarden Mugg and Kent Fry officiating. Memorials in her honor may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Harbor Humane Society.

Arrangements by the Mulder Chapel-Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 188 W. 32nd Street. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a picture, sign the registry, or leave a memory.