With gratitude for her love, we announce the peaceful passing of LaVerne Doris
(Huyser) Lievense on May 13, 2026, at the remarkable age of 101.
LaVerne was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and woman of strong Christian faith who unselfishly served others throughout her personal and professional life.
LaVerne was born on December 17, 1924, to Russell and Marie Huyser in Holland, Michigan where she grew up with her four siblings on East 24 th Street. She received her elementary education in a rural one-room schoolhouse, graduated from high school and went on to earn her registered nursing degree from Butterworth Nursing School in 1945. She began her nursing career working for a local physician, Dr. Harms, where she met the love of her life and husband of 65 years, Donald Lievense, whom she married in 1949. While raising their three boys, she also worked as a public health nurse for the Ottawa County Health Department. Thereafter, she kept her nursing license active well into her 80’s working as a volunteer at health clinics administering vaccinations. LaVerne was the first woman appointed to the Holland Hospital Board of Directors where she served for several years. LaVerne also supported and served on boards of multiple charitable organizations addressing the needs of underserved communities in the greater Holland area. A woman of strong faith, she was a lifelong member of Third Reformed Church where she served in several capacities including Elder at the church. LaVerne and her sister
Esther Van Slooten were instrumental in the charitable donation of the Huyser Farm property to Laketown Township in memory of their late aunt and uncle Lilah and Manual Huyser.
LaVerne believed deeply in caring for people and finding joy in simple moments shared with loved ones. She poured everything she had into her family from raising her children to hosting family gatherings and always being the last one to sit down to eat. She relished the opportunity to play cards or board games with family and used that time to teach valuable life lessons. Though she will be deeply missed, her life serves as a reminder of the good that caring people can pass on.
LaVerne was preceded in death by her husband, Donald J. Lievense; brothers, Warren and Ivan Huyser; brothers-in-law, Louis Van Slooten and Kenneth Van Haitsma; grandson, Mason Lievense.
LaVerne is survived and deeply loved by her sisters, Esther Van Slooten and Norma Van Haitsma; sons, James Lievense, William (Jane) Lievense, and Robert Lievense; five grandchildren, Andrew (Alison) Lievense, Molly (Jonathan) Howell, Elizabeth (Andrew) Atkins-VanLieshout, Laura (Erik) Williams and Ethan (Bre) Lievense and 10 great grandchildren.
A service will be held to honor and celebrate her life at 11:00am, on Thursday, May 21, at the Dykstra Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m., until 10:45am with a lunch reception at Noon. A graveside service will follow at 1:30pm at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to a charity or organization of your choice.
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