Oosterink, Veta Marlene Veta Marlene (Barnhart) Oosterink, age 72, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on Saturday, June 22, 2013 to be with her Heavenly Father. She was a faithful wife and mother, and will be missed by her children, Deb and Randy DeWeerd, Tammy and Gary Van Dyke, Dale Jr. and Marisol Oosterink. Her grandchildren, Branden and Kim Van Dyke, Greg and Jeni Lubbers, Anthony and Danielle DeWeerd, Rob and Renae Van Dyke, Travis and Meghan Rossett, Brittney Oosterink, Andy and Megan Van Dyke, Kevin and Brooke Dood, and Brianne Van Dyke and her 14 great-grandchildren will all miss her with her passing, but not as much as her special granddaughter, Rachelle (Chelle) DeWeerd. A special thank you from Marlene's children goes to Mom's step parents Bert and Marianne Lareva, Doug and Linda Dill, Barb Oosterink, Jean Oosterink, and Stena Kreger. Marlene was constantly working, and literally worked her fingers to the bone. She loved country music, gardening, singing, and sun tanning. She worked for Lescoa for 21 years, and made some long time friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dale Oosterink Sr. and by her mother, Roselie Barnhart-Lareva; father, Arthur Barnhart; mother and father-in-law, Jacob and Katherine Oosterink; brothers-in-law, Larry Atwood, Gerald Oosterink, Leon Oosterink, and Charles Postema; sisters-in-law, Esther Postema, Kathy Meekhof, Elenor Oosterink, Jane Oosterink. She is survived by her step-parents, Bert and Marianne Lareva; her loving and devoted sisters and their husbands, Darla Atwood, Karen and Don Freehafer, Wanda and Jim Marshal, Linda and Doug Dill, Connie and Jim Tuttle. Also living are her brother and sisters-in-law, Gert and Wendell Becker, Rog and Skip Oosterink, Ken Oosterink, Chet and Lois Lazouski, Wilma and Albert Zandstra, Nancy Swartz, Barb Oosterink, Howard and Jean Oosterink, Wayne Crawford, Gary and Pat Oosterink, Wayne and Bonnie Oosterink, Mark and Barb Oosterink, Kathy and Randy Rouse, Nancy and Denny Williams. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday 11 am at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf (Grandville), 4145 Chicago Dr. SW, with Pastor Greg Lubbers officiating. Interment Floral View Memorial Gardens. Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday from 10-11 am prior to the service at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Ottawa Area Center.
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March 26, 2015 10:34am
Aunt Connie,Uncle Jim and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss, my deepest sympathies to you all and you are in my thoughts and prayers as you always are. Love you. Sherry Shannon
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March 26, 2015 10:34am
Dear Karen and your sisters too.... I am so glad we got to see Marlene and catch up on a few years when she was at the Laurels in Hudsonville.... So sorry for your loss now and many prayers are coming your way. Marlene was a real sweetheart and will be missed by all who knew her through the years... Much love. Jerry and Pam (Thebo) Hammond Anonymous
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March 26, 2015 10:34am
To Tammy and Deb, so sorry to hear of the passing of your mother. She was a very unique individual whom I will always remember. I can still hear her laughter when I think back to the times I visited the house. Best wishes to you both. Dave Van Surksum
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March 26, 2015 10:34am
When I think of Aunt Marlene, I do not know where to begin to write. I loved her very much. Recanting each detail that made her so unique and memorable would be enough to fill a book. I think of how much she loved to laugh and loved to sing. She always welcomed us or anyone over to her home. Although it was immaculate, she never made us feel like we were unwelcome or might mess it up. A few years ago, I was so deeply touched when Aunt Marlene pulled out her beloved albums. She had carefully saved so many mementos of each of our lives and had carefully preserved them in albums over the years. She had our high school graduation announcements, newspaper clippings of any achievement we may have been mentioned for. The treasures she kept chronicled our young lives. What was amazing is that she did not do this for recognition because we never knew about it. I had mentioned to her that I never saw the newpaper article written about our brother Shannon. She said, "Oh Reneta, I have a copy of it." It was not tossed in a box or drawer. That is when I saw her labor of love that had spanned decades. I felt so very loved and so treasured when I saw all the things she had saved for us. Twp summers ago, Aunt Marlene came down to see me with my mom (Darla). I packed them into the back of my SRX and like two school girls, they laughed and chatted until we got to the water fountain play area by the beach in St. Joseph, MI where I live. Aunt Marlene ran in the water and played with Rachel and Emily. (my twins that were 5). She did not mind getting wet, and pretty soon had Mama joining in the fun with her. They will never forget her because of their time spent with her that day. Aunt Marlene's love was genuine. She loved her family and chose to be happy and embrace life. Aunt Marlene was also very gifted musically. She could sing and play the guitar. I am blessed to be old enough to remember the days when my Grandmother's house was filled with singing as dishes were washed, dried, and put away. Music was an important part of Aunt Marlene's life. The memory she left with me is an important part of my life. I will miss her stories, her laughter, that "knowing" look she would get in her eye with that slight head nod, to let you know she "got it". I am so thankful that God in His mercy and grace took Aunt Marlene to Heaven quickly. He did not allow her to suffer for weeks and months with the knowledge that she had a terminal cancer. Although, she had a resilience that was unmatched by most people I have met in my life. I love you Aunt Marlene. I hope you are singing with the angels and filling the Heavens with the joy and laughter you took with you. Thank you so much for the memories. Thank you so much for always making us feel loved and important in your life. You took such pride in your home, in your garden in your beautiful flowers. In spite of every obstacle in your life, you managed to care so much about everyone but yourself. We will miss you. Lovingly, Reneta Mais
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March 26, 2015 10:34am
Mom, (Darla) Albert sent me the following message for you. " I am so sorry. Please, please please know and tell your mom I'm so sorry and that she will always be special to me Albert Mais
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March 26, 2015 10:34am
Dear Deb and Randy , Tammy and Gary, Dale Jr and Marisol and the grandchildren and great grandchildren, My deepest sympathy to you all in the passing of a deer and wounderful woman--Mom-grandma great grandma and a very sweet Aunt of mine. Hold on to your many memories and let them guide you during this time of sadness. Her love and friendship are treasures to carry with you always. Marie (Oosterink) Groot
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March 26, 2015 10:34am
Dear Dale, Our condolences to you and your family. We'll be keeping you in our prayers during this tough time. Love, Dave, Marianne, Laura & Kyle Donker
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