Jean Pearl Niemeyer

Jean was born to Arthur and Jennie Van Kley in Lansing, Illinois, on November 15, 1929, just weeks after the Great Depression began. Her father was a farmer who eventually settled in DeMotte, Indiana, when Jean was 5 years old. The seventh of eight children, she was the first in her family to attend college. Shortly after arriving at Calvin College, a fellow student, Berny, spotted her on a bus, and soon after their romance began. Jean married Bernard (Berny) Niemeyer on January 27, 1949. To support her husband in his quest to become a pastor, she dropped out of college to work full-time. Her exceptional skills as a typist and relentless work ethic served her well, and many of these years she worked in a doctor’s office.

Jean was a loyal partner to her husband in his pastoral work, doing whatever needed to be done in the church while raising her six children. Her first two boys were born in Grand Rapids, MI, while Berny was still in seminary, and then a third son was born during his first stint as a Christian Reformed pastor in Goshen, Indiana. The couple returned to Michigan to serve a rural church in Lamont, Michigan, just outside of Grand Rapids. Their two daughters were born there, and as Jean would later say, in contrast to her rambunctious sons, finally she had children who would hold her hand and walk with her. Several years later, they moved out west to Salem, Oregon, to start a new church. Her fourth son was born in Salem, shortly after the new church building and parsonage were built. During these years, she was the primary church organist, taught many children’s classes, and helped organize church events. Subsequently, they started another Christian Reformed church in Yakima, Washington, followed by pastorates in Inglewood, CA, Portland, OR, and Allegan, MI.

In 1991 they retired to live in Chula Vista, CA, in the home previously owned by Berny’s parents. They lived here happily for many years, members at a small Christian Reformed church in Otay Mesa, while taking time for seven short-term interim pastor roles. Jean would always worry about her plants back home during these interims, for she had a passion for gardening (a trait which she did not pass onto any of her children). Her children fondly remember her dedication as a cook and baker, and this trait she did pass along to most of her children. She is also well-remembered for her penchant for telling stories, so that collectively her six children have a well-developed oral history of their family. In 2010 they moved to Portland, OR, to live close to their two youngest children, where they were also members at the church where they had previously served. After a very short illness, Jean died on April 15, 2017; she was 87 years old.

Jean is survived by her husband, Bernard Niemeyer, and children Sidney Niemeyer and wife Debbie, Philip Niemeyer and wife Rosie, Calvin Niemeyer and wife Kristine, Barbara Plasier and husband Dan, Jan Niemeyer, and Larry Niemeyer and wife Darcy; along with grandchildren Laura, Heather, Eric, Nick, Nathan, Daryl, Cheryl, Jennifer, Adam, and Dallas. Her service will be held on May 6 at 11:00 am at Parklane Christian Reformed Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association.