Rita Eileen Berends

Rita “Eileen” Berends, age 82, of Hudsonville, Michigan, departed this life and entered the presence of her Lord on Monday, April 2, 2018. Born in East Orange, New Jersey, to Hilda (Reichert) and Herman Rattasep, she grew up in a home anchored by hard work and devotion to God. Eileen graduated from Wheaton College in 1957 and took a home economics teaching job in Grand Rapids at Ottawa Hills High School. She met her husband, Eugene “Gene” Berends, in the Calvary Baptist Church choir. Following their marriage on June 20, 1959, Eileen was actively involved in ministry in her local church, in raising their five children and in Bible Study Fellowship. Her gifts of hospitality, service, and exhortation blessed her family, friends, and many others around the world during retirement years as Gene served as interim director for international Christian schools. Eileen believed her greatest ministry was prayer and in her last years willingly embraced her caregiving role to her husband. She is survived by her beloved husband of 58 years, Gene Berends;  her children, Andrea Berends, Nancy Berends, Kurt (Anita) Berends, Lisa (Brad) Frieden and Keith (Brenda) Berends; as well as 11 grandchildren, Kayla, Brent, Kendra, and Audra Frieden, Julia (Christian) Winter, Abigail, Janey, Alexandra, and Asher Berends, and Micah and Elly Berends. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Monday, April 9, 2018 at Calvary Church, 707 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, with Pastor Dann Austin officiating. Interment Grandville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 3-6 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive SW. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to ABWE or Calvary Church.