She was born in Iowa City, Iowa to Dr. Edwin and Marie VanderBerg. The family moved to Holland when her father relocated his practice here. She graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1949 and attended Calvin College. She married her Kindergarten sweetheart in 1950 and raised 4 children. When the kids were in school, Phyllis got her cosmetology license. She practiced her craft at Julie’s, Panopolus, Rest Haven Senior Center, and Meadowbrook Nursing Home. She also worked at DuMez and Main Sport.
The family enjoyed many summers at their cottage on Hess Lake. She spent her retirement years learning water color painting and blessing her family, friends, and places of care with her work.
Phyllis was a longtime member of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church where she was involved in bible studies and ladies aid group.
She is survived by her loving husband of 75 years, Floyd “Flip” Heerspink; children, Rodney Heerspink, Debora Kraai, Sharon (Bill) DeRuiter, Judy (Rich) Klaasen; 6 grandchildren, Lisa McKay, Bryan (Tricia) Kraai, Jennifer (Kevin) Branson, Scott (Ashley) Klaasen, Dustin DeRuiter, Samantha (Jeff) Ekdom; several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 25, 2025 at Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 259 Central Ave. Holland with Revs. Chad Steenwyk and Kevin Kornelis officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday at the church from 10:00 – 10:45 am. Memorial contributions may be given to Central Avenue Missions and Hospice of Holland.
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