Esther Louise Van Hammen

Esther Louise Van Hammen, age 99, let go of her earthly body in the early morning hours of June 25, 2024. Born January 15, 1925 in Ionia, Michigan to Viggo and Marion Nielsen, Esther graduated from Ionia High School as Salutatorian in 1942. She became a Registered Nurse through the Blodgett Hospital School of Nursing in 1946 and graduated from Western Michigan College of Education (now WMU) with a BS in nursing in 1948. Esther was a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps from 1943-1946 and worked as an RN through most of her professional career, most notably at the West Michigan Poison Center (1974-1994)-which she helped start, and the Blodgett Hospital Emergency Room (1957-1972). Upon retirement she became an advocate for seniors, serving many organizations, including: Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan, Kent County Senior Millage, Michigan Long Term Care Consumer Task Force, Senior Meals, State Advisory Council on Aging, state TRIAD committee, and working groups of the White House Conference on Aging. Esther was an active member of Trinity United Methodist Church and the Blodgett Alumni Association. She worked for many years as chairman and precinct worker for elections in Grand Rapids and later served on the Board of Canvassers for Kent County. She was a Cub Scout den mother and an active member of the PTAs at Sigsbee, Ottawa Hills, and Harrison Park schools.

Esther married Robert J. Van Hammen September 30, 1948. They were married for 63 years, until Bob’s death in February 2012. They had 6 sons, 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Bob & Esther lived in Grand Rapids (first on Union Avenue, then on Wealthy Street, and later at Heron Woods) and spent summers at their cottages on Platte Lake near Honor, Michigan. Esther took care of Bob for ten years after his stroke in 2001 and spent her last four years living at the cottages, being cared for by her sons and other in-home caregivers. She loved spending time with friends and family around the campfire and always made sure to say goodnight to the lake. Esther enjoyed researching the family genealogy and staying in touch with the extended family, especially her Danish cousins. She and Bob loved to dance and were part of the Candlelighters dance club in Grand Rapids.

Esther was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers Spencer and Roger Nielsen, and her husband. She is survived by her sons: David (Phyllis), James (Kathy), Philip (Ellen), Richard (Robin), Thomas (Kat), and Stephen (Nancy); grandchildren: Jaclyn Herman, Kathryn (John) Hohfeldt, Laura (Corey) Sanders, Sarah (Jake) Kemp, Bilqis (Cory) Brown, John (Cheyann) Van Hammen, Paul Van Hammen, and Luke Van Hammen; and great grandchildren: Addisyn, Wyatt, Jaxon, Bella, Charlie, Gemma, Eleanor, Grace, Bryn and John Jr.

She is also survived by an untold number of others who thought of her as “mom,” “grandma,” or “Aunt Esther.”

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 9 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at Reyers North Valley Chapel, 2815 Fuller Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505. A Funeral Service will be held the following day, Wednesday, July 10, at 11:00 am at Trinity United Methodist Church, 1100 Lake Dr SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Esther will be laid to rest at Saranac Cemetery. For those who would like the attend, the family is hosting a Celebration of Life for Esther later this summer on Saturday, August 31 at 4:00pm at the Van Hammen family cottages, 8413 Deadstream Rd. Honor, MI 49640.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Esther's memory may be made to Munson Hospice and Honor Area Restoration Project.