Beatrice Dalman

Beatrice Maurine Dalman (known as "Maurine" and sometimes "Bea"), age 89, went to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on August 25, 2015. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl Dalman, and is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Earlina and Mark Velting, and 4 grandchildren: plus 9 great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her niece and nephew, Sharon and Thomas Stehouwer, plus several other nieces and nephews. Maurine was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on June 21, 1926, and was the fifth of six children. At age 5, she suffered from polio, which left her paralyzed on the left side for life. Maurine held onto her faith throughout her life's many trials and tribulations. In spite of her handicap, she was a remarkable inspiration and embraced her life with zest and zeal. She enjoyed entertaining, traveling, collecting, writing, visiting with family and friends, playing games, watching movies, and reading biographies of famous people. She even earned an Associate's Degree in Journalism at age 51! Maurine served as a typist at Zondervan Publishing for 21 years. She was a gifted storyteller and would entertain people for hours with her many interesting tales. She loved animals and at one time owned five toy poodles and a cat! One of the highlights of Maurine's life was her 17 years of travels with her mother and niece, Karilyn Frederick. They traveled all over Canada and to every state in the U.S. except Alaska and Hawaii. They ate and slept in their Nash car and spent the money they had earned and saved through babysitting and selling Avon. On April 20, 1967, at the age of 40, Maurine married the love of her life, Earl Dalman. She was also blessed at that time with a darling 5-year-old daughter, Earlina. In 1972, Maurine and Earl traveled to Spain and Africa, and a year later they visited Germany, Austria, Italy and the Netherlands. After seven years of marriage, when Earlina was 12 years old, Earl was murdered while working his traveling salesman route. That same year, the very week they had planned their trip to England, Maurine attended Earl's murder trial instead. This story,as well as details of Earl's Christian testimony, were published in the June 1975 issue of Our Daily Bread. Maurine had been able to get around pretty well using her crutches for many years. But in 2000, she developed Post Polio Syndrome and became wheel chair bound. In Feb. 2001, Tom and Sharon bought her home so she could be put on a list to move into Marsh Ridge Apartments which she did in August of 2001. Soon after this, Tom was designated as her Medical Power of Attorney and Durable Power of Attorney. Tom and Sharon were there TO support her when she was later diagnosed with heart problems and had to have stents inserted to help. Than in 2009, Maurine was diagnosed with breast cancer that required chemotherapy, a mastectomy and radiation. As a result, in Dec. 2009 Tom and Sharon helped her find and move into the Sanctuary of St. Mary's to care for her needs. Maurine's relationship with Tom and Sharon is filled with many good memories of fun times together. Tom met with Maurine almost every Saturday at the mall for the last 15 years of her life. Many Friday's, Tom and Sharon along with their daughters and other family members, would have lunch together at their favorite restaurants. During the years Tom, Sharon and their daughters would stop by for dinners with Maurine at the Sanctuary on holidays, family nights, and to just play cards with one another. Maurine considered Tom to be the son she never had, and Sharon like a daughter. The relationship grew stronger thru the thick and thin of life's various trials. She often said, "I tell people that I don't know what I'd do without Tom and Sharon". Likewise, Maurine had a very very special place in the hearts of Tom and Sharon. Than in Feb. of 2015, Maurine received a leg injury when she accidentally ran herself into her bed which resulted in a deep bruise. Than on the morning of May 20th, to the surprise of both Tom and Sharon, who had been told her leg was getting better, found that Maurine's leg had a terrible infection. Tom insisted that she be taken to emergency immediately for an examination and help. Subsequently, on May 22, the leg had to be amputated. Consequently, Maurine never returned to the Sanctuary. Tom and Sharon had to search two weeks to find a new nursing home for her to stay in after being released from the St. Mary's Hospital, On June 2nd, she moved into the Holland Fulton Manor and stayed there until her death on Aug. 25, 2015. By the grace of God, Maurine was given tenacity and strength and was blessed with a long and full life. She was well-loved and will be missed by those who knew her for years to come. Maurine attended Grace Bible Church in Grandville, Michigan. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, August 28,2015 at Stegenga Funeral Chapel 1601 Post Drive NE, Belmont. Relatives and friends are invited to meet with Maurine's family from 10-11 AM. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Beatrice Maurine Dalman please visit our Sympathy Store.