Vergouwe, Janis Janis K. Vergouwe, age 73, of Grand Rapids, went home to her Lord and Savior on June 1, 2021. She was born to Jay and Ruth (DeHoeg) Lutke in Grand Rapids on December 17, 1947. Jan graduated from Lee HS in 1966 and attended Central MI University where she studied to be a teacher. While there she began writing to her true love, Larry Vergouwe whom she had never met, and was deployed in Vietnam. It was through these letter correspondences that their love began. It is one for the record books, that's for certain. They were married on Dec 12, 1969. Jan was a long time member of Knapp Street Reformed Church where she taught Sunday School for nearly 45years, touching the lives of hundreds of children who learned they were, "Gods Child" from her tender hand. As her own children grew up, she began working at Knape and Vogt as a receptionist and quickly worked her way into the accounting department. Jan enjoyed several family camping trips each summer. Her love for the kitchen allowed her to be a blessing to so many over the years. In her retirement she dedicated herself to the grandbabies she had longed and prayed for. She loved attending every sporting event, concert, awards ceremony, and especially Grandparents Day, and Veterans Day Celebrations. She spoiled us all with her way of knowing just what each of her kids and grandkids needed from her; be it a hug, a prayer, or a candy from her purse. Most importantly Jan taught us all what a faithful servant of the Lord is. She embodied Christ's love in every aspect of her life. Janis is survived by her loving husband of fifty-one years, Larry Vergouwe; children, Jason (Lisa) Vergouwe, Joel (Angela) Vergouwe, Lindsey (Jeff) Pike; grandchildren, Ben, J.T., Josh, Makenzie, Nolan, Lexi, Hunter, Ryder, Sawyer; sisters, Joanne Wright, Marilyn (Art) Ripperda-Emery, Marcia (Jim) DePree; brother, Thomas (Joni) Lutke; sister-in-law, Sharon Twentyman. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law, David Wright, Wayne Ripperda, Ron Twentyman; father and mother-in-law, James and Gertrude Vergouwe. There will be a time of visitation with the family from 2:00-5:00 pm Sunday, June 6, 2021 at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N Monroe St., Rockford, MI 49341. The funeral service will be 11:00 am Monday, June 7, 2021 at Knapp Reformed Church, 4025 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. There will also be a time of visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. Memorial contributions in Janis's name can be made out to Knapp Reformed Church or to the , 4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
Fred Cole
Vergouwe, Janis Janis K. Vergouwe, age 73, of Grand Rapids, went home to her Lord and Savior on June 1, 2021. She was born to Jay and Ruth (DeHoeg) Lutke in Grand Rapids on December 17, 1947. Jan graduated from Lee HS in 1966 and attended Central MI University where she studied to be a teacher. While there she began writing to her true love, Larry Vergouwe whom she had never met, and was deployed in Vietnam. It was through these letter correspondences that their love began. It is one for the record books, that's for certain. They were married on Dec 12, 1969. Jan was a long time member of Knapp Street Reformed Church where she taught Sunday School for nearly 45years, touching the lives of hundreds of children who learned they were, "Gods Child" from her tender hand. As her own children grew up, she began working at Knape and Vogt as a receptionist and quickly worked her way into the accounting department. Jan enjoyed several family camping trips each summer. Her love for the kitchen allowed her to be a blessing to so many over the years. In her retirement she dedicated herself to the grandbabies she had longed and prayed for. She loved attending every sporting event, concert, awards ceremony, and especially Grandparents Day, and Veterans Day Celebrations. She spoiled us all with her way of knowing just what each of her kids and grandkids needed from her; be it a hug, a prayer, or a candy from her purse. Most importantly Jan taught us all what a faithful servant of the Lord is. She embodied Christ's love in every aspect of her life. Janis is survived by her loving husband of fifty-one years, Larry Vergouwe; children, Jason (Lisa) Vergouwe, Joel (Angela) Vergouwe, Lindsey (Jeff) Pike; grandchildren, Ben, J.T., Josh, Makenzie, Nolan, Lexi, Hunter, Ryder, Sawyer; sisters, Joanne Wright, Marilyn (Art) Ripperda-Emery, Marcia (Jim) DePree; brother, Thomas (Joni) Lutke; sister-in-law, Sharon Twentyman. She was preceded in death by her parents; brothers-in-law, David Wright, Wayne Ripperda, Ron Twentyman; father and mother-in-law, James and Gertrude Vergouwe. There will be a time of visitation with the family from 2:00-5:00 pm Sunday, June 6, 2021 at Pederson Funeral Home, 127 N Monroe St., Rockford, MI 49341. The funeral service will be 11:00 am Monday, June 7, 2021 at Knapp Reformed Church, 4025 Knapp St NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525. There will also be a time of visitation one hour prior to the funeral service. Memorial contributions in Janis's name can be made out to Knapp Reformed Church or to the , 4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.