Pete was born on March 14, 1930 in Holland, Michigan to Gerrit and Elizabeth DeHaan where he lived his entire life.
He enlisted in the Navy at the age of 19 and served on an aircraft carrier during the Korean War from June 1949-April 1953. He dated his wife, Marcia, after he returned home from the Korean War and they married on August 13, 1954. Pete worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company for 30 years and retired from there in 1984. For 30 years after retirement, he worked part time delivering buses and motor homes across the country for Holland Motor Homes. He officially retired at the age of 85.
Pete loved adventures and the outdoors. He traveled the country, hunting frequently in the Upper Peninsula, Georgia, Wyoming, Nebraska and Canada. In all places, he was joined by his close friends and family members as his hunting companions. Pete was not the lying on the beach in a bathing suit type of guy. He was more comfortable in hunter orange.
Pete was also an avid fisherman, and he placed fishing poles in his grandchildren’s hands as soon as they could walk so that they could join him at the pond in his own backyard.
Those that knew Pete well, knew that he loved his wife tremendously. He often teared up talking about his love for her. This love was also imparted to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Pete is proceeded in death by his loving wife Marcia, parents Gerrit and Elizabeth DeHaan, and his son-in-law Robert Bonczyk. He is survived by his three children Michael (Kris) DeHaan, Marc (Darlene) DeHaan, Michelle Bonczyk, his 6 grandchildren and their spouses, 8 great-grandchildren as well as his older brother Gary (Connie) DeHaan.
A service to celebrate Pete is planned for 11:00 on Friday, May 16, 2025, at Langland-Sternberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St. Holland. Burial with military honors will be held in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Please consider donating to South Olive CRC or Hospice of Holland who lovingly cared for Pete and supported the family during the last month of his life.
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