All Obituaries

Helen Joan VanHaitsma age 78 of McBain passed away at Autumnwood of McBain on Saturday, September 23, 2023. Helen was born to Charles W. and Freda (Borgman) VanHaitsma on February 24, 1945 in Reeder Township in Missaukee County.

Helen participated annually in athletic and bowling events at Special Olympics. She enjoyed annual week at camp, walking daily around Autumnwood, she remembered everyone’s birthday and anniversary and sent cards to them, she did embroidery work, she liked taking photos and keeping photo and scrapbooks, she also enjoyed “Little House on the Prairie”, being teased and joking and going out to eat and going for coffee. Helen had sung with the Patriots Choir and went to Prints in Time. Attending Community Bible Study was very important to her. Helen lived a beautiful complicated life. She taught us patience and gratitude. She had a dry sense of humor and loved us fiercely. She loved Jesus and music. She was perfectly made in God’s image and was loved by the people in her community.

Helen is survived by her siblings; Willard (Janice) VanHaitsma, Joyce Wolbrink, Gordy (Joyce) VanHaitsma, and Jim (Barb) VanHaitsma, sister-in-law; Rose VanHaitsma and many nieces and nephews

She was preceded in death by her beloved parents and brothers; Gerald VanHaitsma and Chester VanHaitsma and sister in-law Eleanor (Hoekwater) VanHaitsma.

Funeral services will be held on September 27, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at the Lake City Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Ken Koning officiating. Visitation will be at the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain on Tuesday from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M and one hour prior to the funeral service. A luncheon will follow services at the church and burial will follow at the Mount View Cemetery in McBain. Memorial contributions may be made to the Friendship Family Home in McBain. The Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain is handling funeral arrangements and thoughts and prayers may be left at www.burkholderfunerals.com.