Helen Smit

Helen Juan (nee Hoogewerf) Smit, age 86, of Hudsonville, Michigan, formerly of the greater Chicago area, was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven on Friday, July 16, 2021. Treasured mother of Laura (Greg) Zandstra, Rebecca (Verlan) Van Ee, and Jennifer (Timothy) Vroom; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and adored sister of Marilyn (Dave) Huge, Gerald (Dolores) Hoogewerf, John (Ruth) Hoogewerf, and Ruth (David) Van Dyke; brothers-in-law, Ken Veenstra and Robert Bultema; and many nephews and nieces. Helen was preceded in death by her parents, Gerrit and Greta Hoogewerf; her loving husband of 65 years, Alvin John Smit; her precious daughter, Sandra (Bill) Madura; great-grandson, Jude Van Ee; great-granddaughter, Indigo Altman; brother, Jacob (Delores) Hoogewerf; sisters, Janice Veenstra, Lorraine Bultema, Joyce (Peter) Briscoe, and Judith Hoogewerf. Helen’s goal in life was to fulfill God’s purpose and glorify her Lord in all that she did. She was very interested in other people and used her life to take care of others. She made room in her home and in her heart for people of all ages. Making meals seemed to be so easy for her and she happily hosted and fed big groups. She was also very good at sewing and knitting, and loved to read. She led Coffee Break Bible Study for many years and was always involved with ministries for children. Helen and her late husband, Alf, volunteered at Love INC, Crossroads Prison Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, and Wycliffe Bible Translators. When they were home, Helen would spend several hours each morning reading devotions aloud so that she and Alf could better know their dear Lord and Savior. Helen was diagnosed with vascular dementia near the end of her life and constantly yearned to “go home”. Now we rejoice with her because she has found peace and contentment and is praising Jesus in her eternal home. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at noon at Fairway Christian Reformed Church, 1165 44th Ave., Jenison, with Helen’s son-in-law, Pastor Verlan Van Ee officiating. The burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday from 11-11:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Wycliffe Bible Translators.

The service will be live streamed on the church website at http://www.fairwaycrc.org.