Margaret Blankespoor

Margaret Blankespoor, age 100, passed away on Tuesday, April 5, 2016.   She was born on May 13, 1915 to Ralph and Minnie (Gritters) Brunsting.  She grew up in Hull, Iowa where she was one of the oldest children in a large family.  She moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan when she married John and she worked as a housekeeper while he attended seminary.  Once his ministry began, she was a very supportive preacher’s wife—often hosting social events in the parsonage for church leaders.  In her 50’s, she worked part time at Booth Hospital in Grand Rapids and then in her 60’s, at a nursing home in Hudsonville.  She moved to Sunset Village in Jenison, Michigan in 2002 and lived there until she moved to Brookcrest in 2016.  Margaret was a warm loving person who had a positive outlook on life.  She always expressed an interest in other people and what was going on in their lives.  She was passionate about her family and continued to give each one of them birthday gifts well into her 90’s.  She was especially fond of children and went out of her way to spend time with them whenever possible.  She had many talents and skills.  She was very fond of growing flowers in her gardens.  She took much enjoyment in playing the accordion, piano, and organ and loved to sing.  She never met a craft she didn’t like—sewing, knitting, crocheting, tatting, embroidery, macramé, decoupage, and more.  Her excellent vision and eye-hand coordination allowed her to do some of these activities right up until the end of her life.   She taught her daughters and granddaughters how to do many of them.  Her loved ones remember her best for two things: one was always being up for new experiences and adventures throughout her whole life.  The family took many camping trips around the U.S.  Later on, she happily travelled with John to many distant places—a five week car trip through Eastern Europe, tours to China, Turkey, and Greece. She cross-country skied and played volleyball into her 80’s and swam and golfed into her 90’s. Secondly, she will always be remembered for her dedication to the Lord.  She attended church faithfully, sang hymns lustily, and frequently commented on how good God was to her—even during challenging and stressful times.  She was an awesome role model to all who knew her! She was predeceased by her husband, John; brothers, Al, John, and Ray; sisters, Della, Ruth; 2 infant brothers; and her granddaughter, Annie Kuzee.  She is survived by her son, Gil (and Liz) Blankespoor; her daughters, Minetta (and Barry) Groendyk, Hildrene (and Doug) DeGood, and Marielle (and Jon) Kuzee.  Surviving siblings are sisters, Louise (Mrs. John Van Aller) and Edith (Mrs. Walt Vis); brother, Larry (and Alma) Brunsting; sisters-in-law, Henrietta (Mrs. Gary Byker), and Sally (Mrs.  Aaron Wassink).   She leaves to cherish her memory 14 grandchildren, 30 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.  Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, April 13, at 1:00 p.m. at Faith Community Christian Reformed Church, 5250 Byron Center SW, Wyoming, with Rev. Roger Groenboom officiating.  Interment Georgetown Township  Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday, April 12, from 6-8 p.m. at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive SW.  In lieu of flowers, her family requests that donations be sent to Sunset Benevolence Fund (725 Baldwin St., Jenison, MI 49428) or John Ball Zoo (1300 W Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49504).