ZEELAND The pandemic has made it difficult for families across the country to see one another. But in one Zeeland retirement community, a handful of parents and their children have found a workaround.
Carla Kraker and Judy Frego enjoy their work managing the front desk and cleaning at Royal Park Place, 500 Parkside Drive. But what really brightens the sisters days are the glimpses they catch of their parents.
Henne and Rudy Kleinheksel joined the community four years ago. It s very nice to be able to see my mom and dad when other people didn t, Kraker said. We could come in here and see them and talk to them and make sure everything was OK. Just to see them and have dinner and to know I d continue to see them three times a week, it s been a blessing.
Apr 26, 2021 9:40 AM
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
Velda Caroline Neville entered into the loving arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ on April 21, 2021, at the age of 98. For the past twenty-four years, she was an active member of Faith Reformed Church.
On a cold winter day, January 22, 1923, in East Jordan, MI, Velda Caroline Payne (Vel) was the fourth of seven children born to Burdette and Myrtle Payne.
Her fondest memories were of living on a sheep ranch on Lynn Lake in Gaylord, MI. At the age of 12, her family moved not far from the ranch to a farm overlooking a valley. Life on the farm included many chores such as weeding the garden, feeding the chickens, and harvesting fruits and vegetables to help sustain their family through many lean years.
Apr 7, 2021 11:19 AM
Alma Lou (Dykema) Gunneman, age 87, passed away and entered heaven on April 7, 2021, after a courageous battle with skin cancer. Alma was born in 1933, the tenth child of Peter and Jennie Dykema.
Alma lived her younger years in Hudsonville where she attended Hudsonville Christian School. Then to Holland where she attended Holland Christian through 11th grade. One day while walking to a friend’s house, Ken Gunneman happened to drive by and it was love at first. They married on 6/1/1957, settled in Hamilton, joined Haven Reformed Church, and started their family. Together they had two children, Karen and Gregg.
Did you get the COVID-19 vaccine yet?
“They all want to come and see us,” Muriel said. “They keep asking, ‘When are you going to get it?’”
The Cecconis, married 71 years, are pleased to tell their large extended family they have received both doses of the vaccine.
Thanks to a collaborative effort, the Cecconis received the vaccines close to home at The Village at Appledorn in Holland, their independent senior living community.
Shawn Pelon, a nurse with Spectrum Health Zeeland Community Hospital, delivered their second COVID-19 vaccines Wednesday, March 3, at a clinic held in Appledorn’s dining hall.
The clinic, which vaccinated more than 60 residents, is one of many hosted in Ottawa County through a partnership formed by the independent living communities, area health systems and the Ottawa County Department of Public Health.