Marion Redeker

Marion Lois Redeker was a passionate, strong and caring person who loved her family and her God. Marion was constant in the lives of those who knew her, very dependable and loyal. She never thought twice about going out of her way to help someone in need, sharing her love, laughter and inspiration with many people who truly needed her to brighten their day. Born September 15, 1920, to Lewis and Gertrude (Vande Zande) Redeker. She was the middle of three girls. They grew up in the small community of Alto, Wisconsin where they owned a dairy farm. The family was reared in the Reformed Church. Marion attended grammar school in a one room school house. Later she attended Waupun High School, which was located in "town" just outside of Alto. The school was not more than 10 miles from her home, but it was considered a long trip in those days so she boarded at her grandpa's house during the week, where several of her aunts also lived, and returned home to her parents on the weekends. While in high school, Marion was active in the Christian Endeavor, which was a national youth program, and attended a national convention in Atlantic City, N.J. She was on the high school debate team. After graduating, Marion went to work at the local newspaper, the Waupun Leader News. The newspaper soon consumed her life to the point where she didn't even have time for a husband. She wrote, took pictures and edited the small town paper and lived many times by the deadline. She attended every town hall meeting and was present at all nightly functions to include them in the paper. One of the most memorable events was when John F. Kennedy came to Waupun for his campaign in 1960. Marion was entrusted with the interview and story on JFK and taking the photos, which unfortunately did not come out because of a mix up with the camera. After 20 years with the newspaper, the editor died and the paper soon changed hands. Marion saw this as an opportunity to take her talents to a bigger town and a bigger newspaper. This town was Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, which was about an hour away. This took her away from family and friends, but she soon found herself encircled by church family in the local Methodist church. Marion was an ardent Democrat. She felt compelled to take several years off from the newspaper to go to Washington, D.C. to work for their state representative, Glen Davis, who was her debate teacher in high school. She also was active with the League of Women Voters. Dedicated not only to the newspaper, Marion assembled the church newsletter. After retiring from the newspaper, Marion and her life long friend, her sister Eleanor, enjoyed traveling together. In 1984, they bought a condo together in Waupun. Her sister, Eleanor, had been diagnosed with PSP, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, which affects one much like Lou Gehrig's disease. Marion gladly became the caregiver of her sister; nurturing and caring for her every need until she went to a nursing home for more extensive care. Still every day for two and a half years Marion went twice a day to feed her sister until her death in October 1997. This took a great toll on Marion, for they were very close. Though it is said that things of this world come and go, true friendship endures forever. Marion saw each day as an opportunity to bless her family and friends. She tenderly cared for her elderly aunts, Dorothy and Minnie, never considering it an obligation. She took them to doctor appointments and helped them with finances always with a loving heart. Knowing how devoted Marion was to her family, Dr. Bruins, Marion's brother-in-law, suggested that she move to Holland, Michigan to be closer to her youngest sister, Elaine, and her niece and nephew. After much consideration, Marion moved to Freedom Village, a prestigious retirement community, in Holland, Michigan in October 1999. Here she continued to enjoy an active life with many new friends. She very much enjoyed reading, like Anne Perry or history, and became a part of the Freedom Village book club with her good friend, Esther Heyns. Always thinking and giving to others, Marion would get groceries for her neighbors, Marie Walvoord and Jantina Holleman, on Wednesdays and read her church newsletter, Third Generation, to Marie because of her poor eyesight. Marion continued to make great contributions to her community as a member of the Hope Academy for Senior Professionals and also submitted her literature for their yearly collection of stories, was a member of the Third Reformed Church and of the women's group called "Elizabeth Circle." She was a member of the Historical Society of Holland, while two days a week she did volunteer work at the Inn in Freedom Village (the nursing home part of the retirement community) and every Friday you could find her serving meals to the homeless at Western Seminary. She also worked on the Freedom Village Crier, her retirement community newsletter. These kind gestures spoke volumes of Marion's benevolent character. Marion was a natural source of love, comfort and hope to her family. She took great pride in her family and the successes in their lives. Though soft spoken and gentle, Marion was of a strong faith and conviction and didn't show it in words, but in her deeds of kindness. She was always the photographer for family pictures and never actually in them. Marion had never had a birthday party so on her 80th birthday, her sister, Elaine, delighted her with a wonderful party with a circle of family and friends at the well-known Alpen Rose. Marion said, as she always did, “you didn't have to do that”, and yet wouldn't hesitate to do it for someone else. Marion's niece, Mary, who lived in Chicago bought her Aunt Marion her first computer so that they could communicate more often. So at the age of 80, Marion learned how to send e-mails. She continued to write creatively just about every day. Marion was known not to be a good cook. The meals and fellowships at Freedom Village were her saving grace. She also enjoyed taking daily walks, except in wintertime because unlike Waupun, Holland did not shovel their walks when it snowed “as well as at home in Wisconsin”! Marion knew that true hospitality began in the heart. She always gave above and beyond her call of duty. Whether it was money or her time, she always gave with a willing heart to Church World Service, Bread for the World, CARE, Second Harvest, Reformed World Service and many more! Marion L. Redeker died on Tuesday, November 12, 2003, at Freedom Village. Preceded in death by sister, Eleanor Redeker, in 1997. Her family includes: sister, Elaine (Dr. Elton) Bruins of Holland, MI; niece and nephew, Mary (Rev. Daniel) Plasman, Downers Grove, Illinois, David (Elizabeth) Bruins, Springfield, Virginia; grand niece and grand nephews, James, Katherine, and Thomas Plasman, Christopher, Matthew, and Dylan Bruins, and several cousins.

Services will be on Monday, November 17, 11:00 AM at the Third Reformed Church of Holland with the Rev. Dr. Steven Stam, Rev. William Unzicker and Rev. Daniel Plasman officiating. Burial and additional funeral services will be on Wednesday, November 19, at 11:00 AM in Waupun, Wisconsin at the Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home. Burial will be in Wisconsin. Visiting will be from 2-4 on Sunday, November 16, at The Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, MI. To read Marion’s life story, share a memory with the family, send flowers, or make a memorial contribution to the Memorial fund at Third Reformed Church or to The Redeker Scholarship Fund at Western Theological Seminary, please visit Marion’s personal website at www.lifestorynet.com. Marion will be remembered for her enormous heart. She devoted herself to her family and compassion for others. She will be greatly missed.