Geneva Marie Cook was born in Holland, Michigan on April 27, 1918. She was the only daughter and the eldest child of Peter Klaas Cook and Adrianna Breen. One of her favorite games as a child was Jacks.
She attended the Christian School on Central avenue. Sometimes, in the spring, she would put on her roller skates at home in the morning and skate to school. Then, when it was time to go home at noon, she would sit on the steps at school, put on her skates and go home for lunch and skate back to the school by one o'clock.
She attended church services regularly at Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church with her family. Her father was on the consistory and her parents were both members of the choir. Geneva attended bible study and catechism.
She met my grandfather at a Valentines day party and
Geneva and Herb were married in Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church on October 11, 1937- the same day as Herbert's 24th birthday. It was the beginning of a beautiful 62 year marriage.
Geneva and Herb had six children, Marcia, Herb, Amber, Philip, Joan and daughter Rose Ann who was stillborn.
Grandpa was a school teacher and principal during the majority of his working career. Grandma gave her children a good home with lots of love and a keen sense of right and wrong.
Grandma loved her family. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. As her grandchild I remember visiting my grandparents and reading the bible after dinner. Every meal began with a prayer asking the Lord to bless our food and the meal ended with a prayer of thanksgiving. During these prayers Grandpa and Grandma prayed for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Grandma loved to look nice. Her hobbies were jewelry and shopping. She had so much jewelry! Every time we visited she was wearing something sparkly and pretty. Grandma had a LOT of style.
Visiting my grandparents was always a fun occasion. Being that my dad was in the military, we would usually only be able to see them once or twice a year, but those times were so special. When we saw them, it was usually in the summer and we visited them at their summer cottage on Lake Michigan. Grandpa would have the badminton net up and was always up for a game. Grandma didn't play very much, mostly because of an accident she had several years ago that left her with knee trouble, but she always enjoyed watching. Many times she would make lemonade for us to enjoy after we had worked up a sweat.
In later years, they would visit my parents home in Texas and stay for about a month. It was always a fun time and it would usually be around Christmas. This was always a great time to get away from the harsh winters of Michigan and enjoy the benefits of the sunbelt! A good time was had by all.
My grandparents were able to enjoy their two homes until about 1999, when my grandfather got sick. Unfortunately, we lost him on July 1, 2000. Shortly after his death, Grandma sold their house in town and kept the cottage on the lake. It was the site of three family reunions of which the last one was in July, 2007. Grandma had such a wonderful time at these reunions. At our last one, no one had any idea that Grandma was ill with cancer. She was in her element having her family around her. She was especially thrilled that her brothers were able to make the reunion. It was only 6 weeks later in mid-September that she took her last breath, leaving all of us shocked and very devastated.
Losing Grandma was like the ending of an era. My whole life, I always looked forward to seeing my grandparents and now it is hard to accept that I can't just see them anymore. They were all remarkable people and the world is a better place for having all of them on this earth.
The following ran in the Holland Sentinel on September 22, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Geneva Vander Ploeg, 89
Geneva Vander Ploeg, beloved wife and mother, died Thursday, September 20, 2007, at the age of 89.
Geneva was born in Holland and the daughter of the late Peter and Anna Cook.
Geneva was married on October 11, 1937, to Herbert Vander Ploeg, who preceded her in death on July 1, 2000, after 62 years of marriage.
She was a member of the Maplewood Reformed Church and former member of the Sixth Reformed Church.
Geneva was also preceded in death by her daughter, Rose Ann in 1945, and a granddaughter, Irene Londo, in 1961.
Surviving are her children, Marcia and Bert Londo of Arlington, TX, Herbert and Mary Vander Ploeg Jr. of North Port, FL, Amber and Ray Mc Elhaney of Hilton Head, SC, Philip and Rita Vander Ploeg of Elkhart, IN, and JoAn and Don Dunning of Lexington, KY; 17 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren;; brothers, Paul and Alice Cook of Albion and Kenneth and Janet Cook of Kalamazoo; nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Maplewood Reformed Church with the Rev. Clayton Smith officiating.
Burial will be in the Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Visiting will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Downtown Chapel, 29 East 9th Street.
For more information and online registry, visit www.lifestorynet.com.
She attended the Christian School on Central avenue. Sometimes, in the spring, she would put on her roller skates at home in the morning and skate to school. Then, when it was time to go home at noon, she would sit on the steps at school, put on her skates and go home for lunch and skate back to the school by one o'clock.
She attended church services regularly at Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church with her family. Her father was on the consistory and her parents were both members of the choir. Geneva attended bible study and catechism.
She met my grandfather at a Valentines day party and
Geneva and Herb were married in Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church on October 11, 1937- the same day as Herbert's 24th birthday. It was the beginning of a beautiful 62 year marriage.
Geneva and Herb had six children, Marcia, Herb, Amber, Philip, Joan and daughter Rose Ann who was stillborn.
Grandpa was a school teacher and principal during the majority of his working career. Grandma gave her children a good home with lots of love and a keen sense of right and wrong.
Grandma loved her family. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. As her grandchild I remember visiting my grandparents and reading the bible after dinner. Every meal began with a prayer asking the Lord to bless our food and the meal ended with a prayer of thanksgiving. During these prayers Grandpa and Grandma prayed for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Grandma loved to look nice. Her hobbies were jewelry and shopping. She had so much jewelry! Every time we visited she was wearing something sparkly and pretty. Grandma had a LOT of style.
Visiting my grandparents was always a fun occasion. Being that my dad was in the military, we would usually only be able to see them once or twice a year, but those times were so special. When we saw them, it was usually in the summer and we visited them at their summer cottage on Lake Michigan. Grandpa would have the badminton net up and was always up for a game. Grandma didn't play very much, mostly because of an accident she had several years ago that left her with knee trouble, but she always enjoyed watching. Many times she would make lemonade for us to enjoy after we had worked up a sweat.
In later years, they would visit my parents home in Texas and stay for about a month. It was always a fun time and it would usually be around Christmas. This was always a great time to get away from the harsh winters of Michigan and enjoy the benefits of the sunbelt! A good time was had by all.
My grandparents were able to enjoy their two homes until about 1999, when my grandfather got sick. Unfortunately, we lost him on July 1, 2000. Shortly after his death, Grandma sold their house in town and kept the cottage on the lake. It was the site of three family reunions of which the last one was in July, 2007. Grandma had such a wonderful time at these reunions. At our last one, no one had any idea that Grandma was ill with cancer. She was in her element having her family around her. She was especially thrilled that her brothers were able to make the reunion. It was only 6 weeks later in mid-September that she took her last breath, leaving all of us shocked and very devastated.
Losing Grandma was like the ending of an era. My whole life, I always looked forward to seeing my grandparents and now it is hard to accept that I can't just see them anymore. They were all remarkable people and the world is a better place for having all of them on this earth.
The following ran in the Holland Sentinel on September 22, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Geneva Vander Ploeg, 89
Geneva Vander Ploeg, beloved wife and mother, died Thursday, September 20, 2007, at the age of 89.
Geneva was born in Holland and the daughter of the late Peter and Anna Cook.
Geneva was married on October 11, 1937, to Herbert Vander Ploeg, who preceded her in death on July 1, 2000, after 62 years of marriage.
She was a member of the Maplewood Reformed Church and former member of the Sixth Reformed Church.
Geneva was also preceded in death by her daughter, Rose Ann in 1945, and a granddaughter, Irene Londo, in 1961.
Surviving are her children, Marcia and Bert Londo of Arlington, TX, Herbert and Mary Vander Ploeg Jr. of North Port, FL, Amber and Ray Mc Elhaney of Hilton Head, SC, Philip and Rita Vander Ploeg of Elkhart, IN, and JoAn and Don Dunning of Lexington, KY; 17 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren;; brothers, Paul and Alice Cook of Albion and Kenneth and Janet Cook of Kalamazoo; nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Maplewood Reformed Church with the Rev. Clayton Smith officiating.
Burial will be in the Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Visiting will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Downtown Chapel, 29 East 9th Street.
For more information and online registry, visit www.lifestorynet.com.
Geneva Marie Cook was born in Holland, Michigan on April 27, 1918. She was the only daughter and the eldest child of Peter Klaas Cook and Adrianna Breen. One of her favorite games as a child was Jacks.
She attended the Christian School on Central avenue. Sometimes, in the spring, she would put on her roller skates at home in the morning and skate to school. Then, when it was time to go home at noon, she would sit on the steps at school, put on her skates and go home for lunch and skate back to the school by one o'clock.
She attended church services regularly at Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church with her family. Her father was on the consistory and her parents were both members of the choir. Geneva attended bible study and catechism.
She met my grandfather at a Valentines day party and
Geneva and Herb were married in Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church on October 11, 1937- the same day as Herbert's 24th birthday. It was the beginning of a beautiful 62 year marriage.
Geneva and Herb had six children, Marcia, Herb, Amber, Philip, Joan and daughter Rose Ann who was stillborn.
Grandpa was a school teacher and principal during the majority of his working career. Grandma gave her children a good home with lots of love and a keen sense of right and wrong.
Grandma loved her family. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. As her grandchild I remember visiting my grandparents and reading the bible after dinner. Every meal began with a prayer asking the Lord to bless our food and the meal ended with a prayer of thanksgiving. During these prayers Grandpa and Grandma prayed for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Grandma loved to look nice. Her hobbies were jewelry and shopping. She had so much jewelry! Every time we visited she was wearing something sparkly and pretty. Grandma had a LOT of style.
Visiting my grandparents was always a fun occasion. Being that my dad was in the military, we would usually only be able to see them once or twice a year, but those times were so special. When we saw them, it was usually in the summer and we visited them at their summer cottage on Lake Michigan. Grandpa would have the badminton net up and was always up for a game. Grandma didn't play very much, mostly because of an accident she had several years ago that left her with knee trouble, but she always enjoyed watching. Many times she would make lemonade for us to enjoy after we had worked up a sweat.
In later years, they would visit my parents home in Texas and stay for about a month. It was always a fun time and it would usually be around Christmas. This was always a great time to get away from the harsh winters of Michigan and enjoy the benefits of the sunbelt! A good time was had by all.
My grandparents were able to enjoy their two homes until about 1999, when my grandfather got sick. Unfortunately, we lost him on July 1, 2000. Shortly after his death, Grandma sold their house in town and kept the cottage on the lake. It was the site of three family reunions of which the last one was in July, 2007. Grandma had such a wonderful time at these reunions. At our last one, no one had any idea that Grandma was ill with cancer. She was in her element having her family around her. She was especially thrilled that her brothers were able to make the reunion. It was only 6 weeks later in mid-September that she took her last breath, leaving all of us shocked and very devastated.
Losing Grandma was like the ending of an era. My whole life, I always looked forward to seeing my grandparents and now it is hard to accept that I can't just see them anymore. They were all remarkable people and the world is a better place for having all of them on this earth.
The following ran in the Holland Sentinel on September 22, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Geneva Vander Ploeg, 89
Geneva Vander Ploeg, beloved wife and mother, died Thursday, September 20, 2007, at the age of 89.
Geneva was born in Holland and the daughter of the late Peter and Anna Cook.
Geneva was married on October 11, 1937, to Herbert Vander Ploeg, who preceded her in death on July 1, 2000, after 62 years of marriage.
She was a member of the Maplewood Reformed Church and former member of the Sixth Reformed Church.
Geneva was also preceded in death by her daughter, Rose Ann in 1945, and a granddaughter, Irene Londo, in 1961.
Surviving are her children, Marcia and Bert Londo of Arlington, TX, Herbert and Mary Vander Ploeg Jr. of North Port, FL, Amber and Ray Mc Elhaney of Hilton Head, SC, Philip and Rita Vander Ploeg of Elkhart, IN, and JoAn and Don Dunning of Lexington, KY; 17 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren;; brothers, Paul and Alice Cook of Albion and Kenneth and Janet Cook of Kalamazoo; nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Maplewood Reformed Church with the Rev. Clayton Smith officiating.
Burial will be in the Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Visiting will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Downtown Chapel, 29 East 9th Street.
For more information and online registry, visit www.lifestorynet.com.
She attended the Christian School on Central avenue. Sometimes, in the spring, she would put on her roller skates at home in the morning and skate to school. Then, when it was time to go home at noon, she would sit on the steps at school, put on her skates and go home for lunch and skate back to the school by one o'clock.
She attended church services regularly at Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church with her family. Her father was on the consistory and her parents were both members of the choir. Geneva attended bible study and catechism.
She met my grandfather at a Valentines day party and
Geneva and Herb were married in Prospect Park Christian Reformed Church on October 11, 1937- the same day as Herbert's 24th birthday. It was the beginning of a beautiful 62 year marriage.
Geneva and Herb had six children, Marcia, Herb, Amber, Philip, Joan and daughter Rose Ann who was stillborn.
Grandpa was a school teacher and principal during the majority of his working career. Grandma gave her children a good home with lots of love and a keen sense of right and wrong.
Grandma loved her family. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren. As her grandchild I remember visiting my grandparents and reading the bible after dinner. Every meal began with a prayer asking the Lord to bless our food and the meal ended with a prayer of thanksgiving. During these prayers Grandpa and Grandma prayed for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Grandma loved to look nice. Her hobbies were jewelry and shopping. She had so much jewelry! Every time we visited she was wearing something sparkly and pretty. Grandma had a LOT of style.
Visiting my grandparents was always a fun occasion. Being that my dad was in the military, we would usually only be able to see them once or twice a year, but those times were so special. When we saw them, it was usually in the summer and we visited them at their summer cottage on Lake Michigan. Grandpa would have the badminton net up and was always up for a game. Grandma didn't play very much, mostly because of an accident she had several years ago that left her with knee trouble, but she always enjoyed watching. Many times she would make lemonade for us to enjoy after we had worked up a sweat.
In later years, they would visit my parents home in Texas and stay for about a month. It was always a fun time and it would usually be around Christmas. This was always a great time to get away from the harsh winters of Michigan and enjoy the benefits of the sunbelt! A good time was had by all.
My grandparents were able to enjoy their two homes until about 1999, when my grandfather got sick. Unfortunately, we lost him on July 1, 2000. Shortly after his death, Grandma sold their house in town and kept the cottage on the lake. It was the site of three family reunions of which the last one was in July, 2007. Grandma had such a wonderful time at these reunions. At our last one, no one had any idea that Grandma was ill with cancer. She was in her element having her family around her. She was especially thrilled that her brothers were able to make the reunion. It was only 6 weeks later in mid-September that she took her last breath, leaving all of us shocked and very devastated.
Losing Grandma was like the ending of an era. My whole life, I always looked forward to seeing my grandparents and now it is hard to accept that I can't just see them anymore. They were all remarkable people and the world is a better place for having all of them on this earth.
The following ran in the Holland Sentinel on September 22, 2007
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Geneva Vander Ploeg, 89
Geneva Vander Ploeg, beloved wife and mother, died Thursday, September 20, 2007, at the age of 89.
Geneva was born in Holland and the daughter of the late Peter and Anna Cook.
Geneva was married on October 11, 1937, to Herbert Vander Ploeg, who preceded her in death on July 1, 2000, after 62 years of marriage.
She was a member of the Maplewood Reformed Church and former member of the Sixth Reformed Church.
Geneva was also preceded in death by her daughter, Rose Ann in 1945, and a granddaughter, Irene Londo, in 1961.
Surviving are her children, Marcia and Bert Londo of Arlington, TX, Herbert and Mary Vander Ploeg Jr. of North Port, FL, Amber and Ray Mc Elhaney of Hilton Head, SC, Philip and Rita Vander Ploeg of Elkhart, IN, and JoAn and Don Dunning of Lexington, KY; 17 grandchildren; 16 great grandchildren;; brothers, Paul and Alice Cook of Albion and Kenneth and Janet Cook of Kalamazoo; nephews, nieces, and cousins.
Services will be 1:30 p.m. Monday at the Maplewood Reformed Church with the Rev. Clayton Smith officiating.
Burial will be in the Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Visiting will be 2-4 p.m. Sunday at the Dykstra Life Story Funeral Homes-Downtown Chapel, 29 East 9th Street.
For more information and online registry, visit www.lifestorynet.com.
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See more Vander Ploeg or Cook memorials in:
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- Holland Vander Ploeg or Cook
- Ottawa County Vander Ploeg or Cook
- Michigan Vander Ploeg or Cook
- USA Vander Ploeg or Cook
- Find a Grave Vander Ploeg or Cook
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