Henrietta Bonnette

Henrietta Bonnette lived a long and full life. From her humble beginnings, she worked hard to earn an education, raise her family and enjoy the fruits of a good life. She loved her family, her church and her Lord, faithfully serving in whatever ways she could. With education a top priority in her life, Henrietta went on to become a dedicated teacher who impacted thousands of young lives during her many years of teaching.

In 1913, Martin John Bast, Jr. and his wife, Hendrina (VanLonkhuizen) immigrated to Crystal River, Florida, from the Netherlands. The most memorable event of the year 1915, was the birth of their daughter, Henrietta, on October 26. She was the youngest of their seven children, and the only one to be born outside of the Netherlands, their homeland. Before immigrating to the U.S., her father, Martin, worked as a miller in his family’s mill, which was one of the largest in the Netherlands. However, because he was the second born son, he did not inherit the business after his parents died. Although Henrietta was born in Florida, the family moved around quite a bit in the U.S. looking for work. Around 1920, Martin heard through the Reformed Church of a farm for sale in Fennville, Michigan, which they bought and settled down with their family. This farm is still in the family to this day.

Henrietta received her education in the Fennville area schools and went on to graduate from Fennville High. Although in this day it wasn’t customary for girls to further their education, Henrietta’s mother strongly encouraged her to go to college, which she did. She went on to earn her teaching degree at Hope College, and took her first teaching position in the Rockford Public Schools.

While at Hope, Henrietta met Gleon Bonnette in her Chemistry class, and as fate would have it, they fell in love. The two were eventually married and by 1940, they made their home on 200 West 12th Street in Holland, Michigan. It was here the couple raised their seven wonderful children together: David (1940), James (1944), Thomas (1948), Mark (1949), Julie (1953), John (1956) and Stephen. To support their large family, Gleon worked as an Accountant, while Henrietta taught at Lincoln Elementary School for many years, and was greatly admired by her students.

Although Henrietta made her career in teaching, it was apparent that her most important job in life was taking care of her children. From school activities to sporting events, she never missed a one. Family time included playing educational games like anagrams and Guggenheim. Before the television was a popular form of entertainment, families played games together, and to this day her children enjoy playing games. Sunday nights the family gathered to watch some TV together while snacking on popcorn and apple slices. Henrietta and Gleon raised their children in the Third Reformed Church. Although they lived only a block away from the church, they were often late for service. Because of this, they had to sit in the pews that were left, which were always up front on the right side. Henrietta would get in first, followed by all the kids and then Gleon – this was so none of the kids could get out. It was a tradition that every Sunday dinner consisted of chicken, 2 freshly baked pies and rolls, which Henrietta usually forgot in the oven, making them hard as rocks. For all the holidays, the Bonnette home was the place to be and everyone felt warm and welcome. One of the family’s Christmas traditions included pigs in a blanket and fruit salad, and many precious moments spent together.

With an appetite for learning, Henrietta loved to read in her spare time, especially novels and historic literature, and was often in two book clubs at a time. Even after retiring from teaching, Henrietta continued to volunteer at both Lincoln and Washington Schools, helping wherever she could. She was also very active with HASP, an association for retired professionals. In her leisure time, Henrietta enjoyed working in her garden and studying the arts. She and Gleon made many great friends during their 60 years in Holland, and loved to get together with them, as well as the bridge club and potluck group.

What brought Henrietta the greatest joy, however, was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren, whom she adored. They were the shining beacons in her life, and she had each of their second grade pictures on her wall in her bedroom. Teatime with Grandma was something all the grandkids looked forward to, but none more than Grandma herself. Henrietta loved to be surrounded by the love and smiles of her family, and loved spending her time being a wife, mother and grandmother to the people who brought her life incredible joy. She will be deeply missed.

Henrietta Bonnette, age 92, of Holland, MI, went to be with her Lord on Sunday, April 27, 2008, at Hospice House of Holland. She was preceded in death by her husband, Gleon, and son, James. She is survived by her children: David and Louise Bonnette of Riverside IL, Thomas and Diane Bonnette of Oneida, WI, Mark and Lynne Bonnette of Holland, MI, Julie and Fred Galley of Berthoud, CO, John and Joanne Bonnette of Shorewood, MN, Stephen and Jodi Bonnette of Singapore. God blessed her with 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Jennie Bell of Seattle, WA, Joan Bonnette of South Haven, MI and Julie Weaver Bonnette of Kalamazoo, MI; and many nieces and nephews.

Visiting will be from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, at The Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland. Services will be at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, at Third Reformed Church of Holland, MI. Memorial contributions may be made to Words of Hope or the Third Reformed Church. Please visit Henrietta’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you may share a memory with her family or sign her online guest book.