God’s newest angel was ushered away from her earthy home this past weekend. On Saturday, the 26th of January, Virginia (Huizenga) Jurries died in her Naples, FL home following continued cardiovascular issues and a stroke in March of 2018. Her children, Kristin and Steven and son-in-law Dave Allen were with her in Naples. Her husband, Jim had been there until a few days earlier when his obligations drew him back to Michigan. Although the stroke diminished her capacities, never did Ginger stop working to better her memory, learn to write and communicate with those she loved, and understand the will of her Lord.
Ginger was born in 1942 to Peter H. and Elizabeth Huizenga, second generation Dutch immigrants, in Oak Park, IL where the family ran a budding garbage collection business. She attended Timothy Christian School in Cicero, IL along with her four siblings; BJ, Peter, Sue, and JC, and after graduating was drawn to Hope College in Holland, MI to major in English. On a beach in Holland during summer break, friends introduced her to her eventual husband, James Jurries. Jim was attending Calvin College at the time, but played it smart and transferred to Hope to be closer to his love. They married in Western Springs in 1964.
Ginger taught second and third grade in both Ann Arbor, and later in Naperville to support Jim while he earned his MBA from the University of Michigan and while they got on their feet as a young couple. They moved back to the town of their Alma Mater, Holland, to raise a family where husband Jim found a niche in the real estate market. In 1970, they welcomed their first child, Kristin and two years later a son named Steven. They raised their children with a love for life, spending vacation time in Colorado and Florida in the winters, and sailing the Great Lakes and riding horses in the summers. Ginger was active in her children’s education as well as her church and community, caring for all who were blessed enough to know her.
Ginger volunteered at her church as a care elder, taught Bible studies, and comforted the ill and grieving of the congregation, freely giving of her time and love. Ginger enjoyed volunteering at the Lakeshore Pregnancy Center, The Boys and Girls Club of Holland, Resthaven, and Project Charlie. She also served on the board of Northwestern College in Orange City Iowa, attended Western Seminary, and authored three books on faith and caregiving.
Ginger had a great gift of hospitality. She was generous with her time and gifts and gave freely to others. She loved to bring her many friends together from far and wide to share in the simple joy of their love for each other and for God. She influenced the lives of all who knew her, whether by her own hands and actions, or through her shining example of how to give selflessly.
Ginger valued the unity of family enormously and now orchestrates her last earthly family reunion. She is predeceased by siblings B.J. Buntrock and Peter Huizenga. Left to cherish her memory are her husband of 55 years, Jim; children Kristin (Dave) Allen of Texas and Steve of Costa Rica; Siblings Suzanne (Herman) Kanis of Holland; J.C. (Tammy) of Grand Rapids. Also sisters-in-law Heidi Huizenga of Oak Brook, IL, Marian “Micki” Jurries of Petoskey, and Virginia “Ginny” (Bob) Postma of Ft. Meyers Beach, FL.; many nieces, nephews, and countless close friends.
Memorial services will be 11:00 a.m. Friday, February 1, 2019 at Christ Memorial Church,
595 Graafschap Rd. Holland
with Rev. Jim Liske and Dr. Tim Brown officiating. Burial will be in Lakewood Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. Thursday, January 31, at Christ Memorial Church (Please use entrances B &C). Memorial contributions may be given to Lakeshore Pregnancy Center, Boys and Girls Club of Holland, or Hope College Vienna Scholarship Fund. The family is being served by Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home. For more information and to leave a condolence please visit
www.langelandsterenberg.
com
.
