June 5, 1925 – August 19, 2023
Connie (Alma Constance) Oppenhuizen, age 98, of Holland, Michigan, passed away on August 19, 2023.
Connie was born in Norwalk, Ohio, to Leland Carl and Wilma Arlene (Stewart) White on June 5, 1925, and was preceded in death by her husband, Simon W. Oppenhuizen in 2004. They were married in Fremont, Ohio on March 22, 1946.
She graduated from Ross High School (Fremont, Ohio) in 1943 where she was a proud member of the Little Giants Marching Band. Following her high school graduation, she attended Bowling Green University in Bowling Green, Ohio, where she majored in Home Economics and Nutrition. This is where she met her future husband, Simon. After his tour of duty in the U.S. Navy ended, following the conclusion of WWII, they were married and enjoyed 58 wonderful years together.
They moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan and established residence there where Simon was engaged in various business activities while Connie was a homemaker raising their four children and ensuring every meal included all the food groups!
Si and Connie enjoyed a large and diverse group of friends over the years. She was the tiller or calming influence on many of Si’s passionate discussions with friends and family. Connie loved a good party, and she would be in the mix engaged and smiling. They were founding members of Calvin CRC. In their later years, they belonged to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids. Upon moving to the Holland/Zeeland area, they joined First Presbyterian Church in Holland where Connie became a member of Hannah’s Circle. Connie belonged to PEO, enjoyed taking HASP (Hope Academy of Senior Professionals) classes, made beautiful hand sewn quilts, was a fantastic cook, and loved gardening and flowers – always appreciating a beautiful bouquet. She appreciated good art and after taking several watercolor and drawing classes, produced some beautiful works that her family now enjoy and lovingly remember her.
Whether tending to her home, husband and four children or engaged in outside activities or socializing with friends and extended family or chasing down a camper trailer to borrow for a spur of the moment trip, Connie was a true example of humility, sensitivity, grace, elegance and love…always and in all ways…love. Her greatest gift and love were her family. Sitting around a dinner table with her big, noisy family gave her the biggest joy in life. We were infinitely blessed to walk with her for a while.
She is survived by her daughter and sons, Lee (Kay) Oppenhuizen of Grand Rapids, Diane (John) Gietzen of Holland, Mark (Kathy) Oppenhuizen of West Olive, and Greg (Rachelle) Oppenhuizen of Holland; grandchildren Jeff (Jenn) Gietzen, David (Emily) Oppenhuizen, Michael (Robia) Oppenhuizen, Andrew (Nancy) Parng Gietzen, Elizabeth (Derek) Barbin, Reid (Dormica) Oppenhuizen, Connie (Arun) Das, Lee (Niki-fiance) Oppenhuizen, Whitney (Greg) Broseus, and Clay (Breannah) Oppenhuizen as well as fifteen great-grandchildren (Isabel, Noah, Elijah, Luca, Sebastian, Kaylee, Asher, Isla, Eleanor, Sutton, Beckham, Simon, Alba, Jacqueline, Luna) and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service celebrating Connie’s life will be held at a future date. Please check Lakeshore Memorial’s website www.lakeshorememorial.com for time and date.
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