Hazel Dirkse

on April 20, 1933, passed away peacefully at her home in Holland, Michigan on Monday, January 6, 2020

at the age of 86.

Hazel was married to Harold Dirkse in Holland, Michigan on June 9, 1950 and enjoyed over 69 years of a

truly beautiful marriage. Together they had eight children, 23 grandchildren, and 20 great

grandchildren. Harold and Hazel also provided foster care to 20 infants and toddlers between 1967 and

1975.

Hazel was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Jay in 1969; a daughter, Patricia Lynn in 2002; a

son-in-law, Bruce Michael Holey in 2016; a grandson, Ryan Lee Lingo in 1987; a grandson, Jess Michael

Dunn Dirkse in 2007; a grandson-in-law, William Lewis in 2013; a great granddaughter, Rhiannon

Danielle Jasche in 2004; and a brother, Vernon Walter Kruithof in 1991.

Hazel attended Holland Christian Schools, and after having eight of their own children and fostering

twenty infants and toddlers, she went to college and received her nursing degree from Muskegon

Community College in 1976. While raising her large family, she managed straight A’s. Her passion for

babies led her to the nursery of the Boven Birth Center at Holland Hospital where she worked for fifteen

years. Her claim to fame is that she changed more diapers than anyone else in Holland.

Hazel is survived by her loving husband of 69 wonderful years, Harold Dale, son Kenneth Lee (Norma)

Dirkse of Holland, son Jerry Allen (Yvonne) Dirkse of Douglas, Michigan, daughter Kathleen Sue Dirkse of

Holland, daughter Linda Jean (Tom) Lampen of Holland, daughter Jane Ellen (the late Bruce) Holey of

Adrian, Michigan, and daughter Nancy Ann (Mark) Lingo of Brighton, Michigan. She is also survived by

sister Angelen Ruth Geurink, sister-in-law Anna Mae Reimersma, sister-in-law Louise Dirkse, and a host

of grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Harold and Hazel enjoyed thirteen years wintering in North Fort Myers, Florida, where Hazel enjoyed

singing with the Forest Park Choraleers, sewing with the quilting group, the Pine Tree Knots, line

dancing, and many other activities with their friends. Her talent for sewing and quilting led her to

become the resident expert in their Florida community. We always joked that Mom had a Ph-D in

quilting.

Hazel has been a member of Trinity Reformed Church for fifty years. She enjoyed singing in the choir,

and many other activities. At Trinity, Hazel started the Care Closet, a ministry to provide daily household

and personal care items to individuals in need.

She was a perfectionist and attacked all of her projects with gusto, whether it was planning a family

picnic, sewing a quilt, or making gifts for her huge family. Every Christmas her family received gifts

made by both Harold and Hazel ranging from pajamas, sleeping bags, doll clothes and furniture, wooden

trucks, wooden puzzles, board games, wood birds, bird houses and whirligigs. She loved surprises and

loved giving; her hands were rarely still. She found a way to make even the most routine activities

special by adding her creative touches.

Hazel loved music and enjoyed participating in many singing groups. She had a beautiful alto voice and a

natural knack for harmonizing. She instilled a love of music in all of her children, if not the same level of

talent!