Warren Mulder

Warren Mulder was a man who kept track of everything, and never lost sight of what was most important in life. He had an incredibly detailed mind, blessed with so much talent and intelligence. He was a gifted singer and gracious servant, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, Warren taught us to pay attention to the little things in life, just as he always did.

Warren’s story began on a cold winter day in 1925, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were exciting days in this country, times of peace and prosperity, during the heyday of the Roaring 20s and the days of Prohibition. On January 31, 1925, Henry and Ethel (Visser) Mulder celebrated the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Warren Hudson Mulder.

Warren was the oldest of three children in the family’s home, joining his little brother Dennis and little sister Ruth. The family were faithful members of the Christian Reformed Church, and Warren attended Christian Schools in Grand Rapids. Early on, it was clear Warren was blessed with a beautiful singing voice, which he would share with others the rest of his life.

Warren was also a bright, personable young man, and was named Class President at Grand Rapids Christian High School. After he graduated, Warren stayed in Grand Rapids and began attending Calvin College, where he would graduate in 1948.

Warren then began teaching biology at Chicago Christian High School, and later at Hudsonville Christian Schools for a time. While he was teaching, he was also learning, as he began attending the School of Medical Technology at Butterworth Hospital. When Warren completed his training, he headed out west for a time, working in the Hematology lab at the Tucson Medical Center in Tucson, Arizona.

Warren wanted to return home, however, so he eventually found a position working with the National Blood Typing Program in Grand Rapids. He worked in the laboratories of Blodgett and St. Mary's Hospitals and held the position of Chief Technologist in the Emma Bixby Hospital, in Adrian, as well. In 1963, he became the Laboratory Manager of the Medical Center Laboratory in Holland, where he would remain the rest of his career.

Warren’s personal life was even more rewarding for him. He became the proud father to four wonderful children, Bruce, Brent, Joan and Steven, who made him so proud. Warren also found the love of his life, Ann Elizabeth “Betty” Watson, and the two were married in 1976, beginning a beautiful marriage. The couple traveled extensively over the years, throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and also Europe.

Warren was a man of many talents, many passions, and many pastimes. Since he was 16 years old, Warren sang in various church choirs in Grand Rapids, Holland, Saugatuck and Douglas. He was also a member of the Calvin College a cappella choir, The Magnichords, the Holland Chorale and the Evergreen Singers, too.

Warren loved being a part of his community, and using his gifts to help and entertain others. Since 1976, he was Uncle Sam in the Saugatuck Fourth of July Parade, and served for several years as Mr. Fezziwig in Saugatuck's Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, too. If that weren’t enough, Warren served as Sinterklaas in local nursing homes, Evergreen Commons, the Holland Museum and other locations, as well.

Warren also had a lifelong passion for photography, and was a longtime member of the Holland Color Camera Club. For more than 30 years, Warren raised pigeons, and was very active and involved in Taxidermy for more than 20 years, even becoming a member of the Michigan and National Taxidermy Associations.

Warren eventually retired in 1987 after 38 years working in laboratories, giving him more time for his many hobbies. Never one to sit still very long, he soon studied to become a Realtor with Piers Realty, and worked as a Host at DeNooyer Chevrolet, too. One of his favorite part-time jobs in retirement was working as a tour guide at the famous DeZwaan Windmill, on Windmill Island, Holland’s famous landmark. He worked at the windmill for 13 wonderful years.

Since 1993, Warren was a member and a docent for the Holland Historical Trust at the Holland Museum and Settlers House. He also was a member of the Saugatuck/Douglas Historical Society and a volunteer at their Museum, too. Warren and Betty were some of the very first members of Evergreen Commons in Holland, a community activity center for adults 50 and older. Warren was a member of HASP, served on the Holland Christian School Board, volunteered with the American Red Cross and was instrumental in the fundraising and the search for property for the development of Harbor's Health Care in Saugatuck. For more than 17 years, Warren served on the committee for the Saugatuck/Douglas Ecumenical Vespers on the Star of Saugatuck, and of course, led the singing for the cruise each year!

In recent years, Warren filled his time by adding gardening and salt water fish to his hobbies. The Mulder yard in Saugatuck was even awarded a Certificate of Achievement in 2002 by the National Wildlife Federation through their Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program.

That was Warren, though; whatever he did, he did to the best of his ability, with a love for the little details that made them so special.

Sadly, Warren died on Friday, March 14, 2008, at Holland Hospital, at the age of 83.

Warren was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life, a life lived to the fullest, and filled with the finest detail. He was a gifted singer and community servant, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend. Most of all, Warren taught us to pay attention to the little things in life, just as he always did.

Warren was preceded in death by his youngest son, Steven Ward Mulder, in 1980.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Ann Elizabeth ("Betty") Watson Mulder, children: Bruce and Deborah Mulder of Minneapolis, MN, Joan and Martin Nagelkirk of Applegate, MI and Brent and Beth Mulder of Zeeland, MI; brother, Dennis and Nancy Mulder and sister, Ruth and Dick Hollebeek, of Grand Rapids, MI. His grandchildren: Paul Nagelkirk, Applegate MI, Ryan Nagelkirk, Lansing, MI and Grant Nagelkirk, East Lansing, MI, Carin and Jason Mulder of Holland, MI and great-grandsons Jacob Lee Mulder and Reece Butcher, Holland, MI.

Visitation will be Sunday, 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at the Mulder Chapel, Dykstra Life Story Funeral Home, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland. The services will be Monday, 1:00p.m. at the funeral home. Interment will be in Riverside Cemetery, Saugatuck Township.

Memorials may be made to Holland Christian Schools, Calvin College or All Saints Episcopal Church. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Warren, or to sign his online guestbook.