Janet Bouws

Janet Bouws was an incredibly giving person who spent her life helping others in need. Not only was Janet generous with her personal belongings, but also with her time. Throughout her entire life, Janet could be found helping others in need. 1914 was a year that would forever standout in history. With the assassination of the Arch Duke Ferdinand of Austria, World War I officially broke out in Europe . Meanwhile, the prospect of War was still a distant thought in the US, as millions of movie-goers flocked to the theaters to watch the famous Charlie Chaplin make his big screen comeback as "The Little Tramp". Despite the excitement of the year, for Benjamin and Jennie (Nyhof) Timmerman of Fillmore Township, Michigan, the most memorable event of 1914 was the April 3rd birth of their daughter Janet.

As the youngest of four children, Janet quickly learned to help-out around the house. In order to help earn extra money for the family, she would work picking red raspberries and blueberries for 12 cents an hour. Often times she would also clean houses and baby-sit for area families. Janet was a hard-worker her entire life, until a severe illness required her to take some time off. When Janet was only fourteen years old, her appendix burst and needed to be removed. This was quite a surgery for the time, and although Janet was very sick, she was lucky to make a full recovery. It was not long before the young girl returned to her busy schedule and eventually found a job working for the Fillmore Creamery which was conveniently located directly across the street from her parents' home. It was while Janet was working for the Creamery that she became engaged to a young man named Herman Bouws. On July 22, 1936, the lovebirds took their vows in a simple, but beautiful wedding. Following the ceremony the newlyweds honeymooned with another couple at the Crest Hotel in Chicago, IL.

In the years that followed, Janet and Herman would make a home for themselves and between 1937 and 1952 their family grew to include five children: James, Gordon, Edwin, Donna, and Gloria. In order to support the family, Herman worked as a farmer, so taking time for vacations was quite difficult. Since Janet and Herman loved gospel quartets, in the late 60's and early 70's they would make time to visit several Quartet conventions. Janet attended many of the conventions with the hopes of hearing her favorite hymns, "Because He Lives" and, "My Jesus I love Thee." Herman enjoyed the music so much that he wanted to share it with others so he sponsored "Songs of Easter" at the Civic Center in Holland so members of the community might enjoy the beautiful music. Other times, the couple would take vacations to attend farm progress shows. Mostly, however, Janet liked to use vacation time to relax and do the things she enjoyed. Often times she would unwind by watching "Wheel of Fortune" and listening to Rev. John Hagge. Cooking and baking was always a big part of her life, and even when her children were grown Janet would enjoy sharing her meals with others. If someone was sick or just in need of a meal they could always count on Janet bringing her famous chicken soup. Often, one of her incredible pies would follow for desert. Her baked goods were so famous, in fact, that during one youth fund raiser event, one of Janet's pies sold for $50! Even though Janet was an incredible cook, sometimes she and Herman would enjoy the occasional dinner out. It was a nice break from cooking, and they loved the time they spent alone together. Other times, they would enjoy inviting couples over and playing cards during the winter months.

Sadly, in 1974 Herman passed away. Janet never remarried, and instead went back to work at the commissary at Russ' and at the Cobblestone Restaurant. The strong work ethic Janet honed in her youth remained with her throughout her entire life, and until last year at the age of 90 she would help out at Dutch Village during Tulip Time. Janet loved to help others and volunteer her time. An active member of Graafschap Christian Reformed Church, she was involved in the church with the Ladies Aid and sewing quilts. Because of her involvement in International Aid and other organizations, Janet's quilts helped spread warmth all over the world! One of her biggest priorities, however, was spreading the Word of God and through her work with Bibles for Mexico, she was able to share her faith with people around the globe. Although Janet's volunteer work brought her great joy, some of her fondest memories were those she spent with her family, which included five children, thirteen grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.

Janet lived a full and wonderful life, and although she faced challenges during her nineties years, her strong faith and closeness with God helped her overcome life's struggles. Because of her personal beliefs, Janet never feared aging, and always knew that her greatest day would be when she passed from this life to the next. The day she died her family found the following statement carefully written in her billfold:

My faith in the Lord Jesus Christ means that I have complete rest and assurance that He is my personal Lord and Savior.

This is what Janet believed everyday of her life.

After 91 years of a full life, Janet Bouws died on Sunday July 10, 2005 in Holland Hospital. She was preceded in death by her husband-Herman in 1974 and a grandson- Michael Bouws. Surviving are her children- James and MaryLou Bouws of Zeeland, Gordon and Ruthann Bouws of Hudsonville, Edwin and Sue Bouws of Holland, Donna Balder of Arizona, and Gloria and Jack Zuidema of Holland; 13 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren; sister-in-law-Helene Timmerman of Holland; and several nephews and nieces. Services are 11 am Wednesday at the Graafschap Christian Reformed Church with the Rev. Stan Scripps officiating. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery. Visiting will be 2-4 and 7-9 pm Tuesday at the church. Arrangements are by the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Mulder Chapel.

To read Janet's full life story, sign the guestbook, share a memory, or make a memorial contribution to the Cross Roads Bible Institute of Grand Rapids or Bibles for Mexico, please visit her personal website at www.lifestorynet.com.