On March 14, 2016, in her 101st year, Agnes VanderMolen passed peacefully from this life into the arms of Jesus. She was at home, surrounded by love.

Agnes was born on June 25, 1915 in Grand Rapids, MI to George and Gertrude (Bouma) Oppenhuizen. Her parents moved to Redlands, Ca, and Denver, Co., before settling as missionaries to the Navajo people in New Mexico. Agnes came back to Grand Rapids to finish school at Grand Rapids Christian High, Calvin College, and Blodgett Memorial School of nursing. She worked as a public health nurse, and in 1945 enlisted in the US Army as a nurse at the end of WWII.

On August 14, 1946, she married Jack Stroo. They lived in Olivet, Grand Rapids and Hudsonville, Mi. After Jack’s death in 1966, Agnes worked as an RN for Pine Rest Hospital and for Bethany Christian Services. She married H. Dan VanderMolen in December, 1970, and lived with him in Jenison through the time of his death in 2000. In her last 9 1/2 years, Agnes moved to the home of Elaine and Bob Clark in McBain where she received loving care until her death.

Agnes loved the Lord, served in the church, and loved her large blended family. She is survived by her children, Suzanne (George) Towers of Cadillac, Maxine (Harvey) Brink, of Everett, WA; Elaine (Robert) Clark of McBain, MI; Cathleen (Leo) Van Arragon of Ottawa, ON, Canada; James (Dorothy) Stroo, of Dallas, TX; Marie (Paul) Jacobs, of Hamilton, MI; Mary (James) Vander Kam of South Bend, IN; and Lois (John) Lukaart of Byron Center, MI. Agnes was proud grandmother to 27 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren, and 5 great-great grandchildren, who celebrated joyfully when she turned 100 in June of 2015. She is survived by two sisters, Winneva (William) Van Wynen of Grand Haven, MI. and Claire (Peter) Vander Weide of Oskaloosa, IA, as well as Kathy (Ed) Oppenhuizen of Phoenix, AZ.

Her four brothers, Hessel, Engelus, Edwin and baby brother Wilbur Oppenhuizen died before her as did her sister Jean (Case) Persenaire, and their spouses as well as her husbands and all their siblings. She grieved the deaths of two infant grandsons, Jacob Stroo and Brent Lukaart, who died shortly after birth.

Funeral services will be held at 12th Ave. Christian Reformed Church in Jenison, Mi., at 1 pm on Friday, March 18, 2016, with Rev. Ben Van Arragon officiating. Visitation will be held at Lake City Christian Reformed Church on Thursday, March 17, 2016 from 6 to 8 pm, and on Friday March 18, at 12:00 p.m. until service time at 12th Avenue Christian Reformed Church before the funeral. Interment will be at Rosedale Memorial Park, Lake Michigan Drive, Grand Rapids, MI.

Memorial gifts may be made to Friends Ministry, Lake City, or to Christian Reformed World Missions.

Cemetery Details