Marybelle Schipper

With a heart that could brighten up the darkest of days, Marybelle Schipper was an extraordinary woman who lived her life to love others. No matter where she was, it was impossible not to see the beauty that emanated from her every fiber as an outpouring of the Christian faith that was such a cornerstone throughout her entire life. Marybelle touched the hearts and lives of not only the family she adored, but also so many within the Vietnamese community in West Michigan and through the work she and her husband did in the Church World Service for over 30 years. Her life and her work are an inspiration to all.

Although the Great Depression hit many families hard during the 1930s, Gradus and Mayme (Klomparens) DenBleyker of Holland, Michigan were blessed with many gifts. Among them was their beautiful daughter, Marybelle, who was born on December 29, 1932. A bright and energetic little girl, Marybelle was the second youngest of five children and grew up in the Graafschap area of Holland with her three older siblings, Orma, Rachel and Joe, and youngest sister, Elaine. Marybelle was a good student, and after graduating from Holland High in 1950, she became an elementary school teacher, teaching at Beaverdam Christian School in Hudsonville, and New Groningen School in the Zeeland area. After raising her family, Marybelle furthered her own education at Grand Valley State University, earning a Bachelor degree in 1979. She then taught at Alger Park Elementary and Sherwood Park Elementary Schools, both in Grand Rapids.

Being an educator was an important part of Marybelle’s life; however, she had a much higher calling, which was to serve the Lord. After marrying her beloved husband, Rev. Dr. Howard Schipper, on June 25, 1956, Marybelle faithfully worked along side him in the congregations he served at Immanuel Community Reformed Church in Lansing, Bethany Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, and later in the Regional Synod of the Great Lakes for the Reformed Church. No matter where their path led them, Marybelle always focused on serving the Lord and serving others. She knew that true hospitality began in the heart, and she generously gave of her time and talents. They welcomed many into their home, and Marybelle was always a gracious hostess, not to mention a great cook.

Marybelle knew the truth of the Lord’s unconditional love, and she wanted others to know of it too. In 1975, she joined her husband in working, through the Church World Service, to help resettle refugees of many nationalities, particularly Vietnamese, in West Michigan. Over the course of 30 years, they traveled many times to Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia and Thailand, and were able to help 8,000 refugees settle in West Michigan, as well as help them get shelter, clothing, and jobs. Marybelle also taught many of them to speak English, and processed countless documents and forms to petition for other relatives and family members to come to America. Being a teacher, it was important to Marybelle to help educate the children in Vietnam, and in 1996, she and Howard started a mission school in Vi Thanh, which now has 85 students. With so much work to juggle, Marybelle became quite an organizer; she always had a plan and liked to “stick to the original plan.”

While most of the resettlement work ended in 2006, when Marybelle lost her beloved husband, Howard, she never stopped working to secure sponsorship and funding for the Vi Thanh school, even to the end of her life. During her life, Marybelle was quite a world traveler, though her favorite place to visit was Israel. She loved music and played both the piano and violin, and in her spare time, she liked to go shopping.

It is said that to accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe. Through the heart of a servant, Marybelle inspired others through the word of God, which she herself so deeply believed in. She walked daily with the Lord, reading the Bible, and attending praise gatherings. Marybelle embodied the true Christian spirit with her kind, generous nature and her strong sense of conviction. She showed to all around her what it meant to be a Christian and was an inspiration to everyone she met.

Marybelle Schipper, age 78, went to be with her Lord on Thursday, March 3, 2011, after a courageous battle with Lymphoma.

She is survived and greatly loved by her son, Timothy, and his wife, Karen, and their children, Laura, Anna, and Peter, as well as by her daughter, Sarah Price, and her son, Jeff. She is survived by sisters, Orma VanderKooi, Elaine Cioffi, Shirley Breuker, and many nephews and nieces.

She is also greatly loved by Howard’s family, surviving son and daughters of Elmer and Henrietta Schipper; Earl and Alyce Schipper, Judy and Roger Dangremond, and Carol Brinks, and sisters in-law, Ellen Schipper and Beth Schipper, as well as by their extended families. She was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Gradus and Mayme DenBleyker, and brother, Joe DenBleyker (wife Lucille surviving), and sister, Rachael Slusher.

Funeral and committal services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 6, in the Chapel of Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Road, Holland, with Rev. Robert Nykamp, Rev. Bill Boersma, Rev. Lap Duong, and Rev Leroy Koopman officiating.

There will be a time of fellowship and refreshment in the Gathering Place immediately following the funeral service.

Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday, March 5, at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland.

Burial will take place in Graafschap Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Freedom Flight Refugee Corporation (714 State Street, Holland, MI 49423) for the support of the Vi Thanh School in Vietnam.

Arrangements by the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Funeral Homes.

Please visit Marybelle’s personal memory page at www.dykstrafuneralhome.com, where you may share a memory, upload a photo and/or sign her online guest book.