BEVERSLUIS – Gertrude Beversluis age 87 died January 9 2008 at her Grand Rapids home. Born in Prospect Park N.J., she earned a BA from Calvin College and an MA in English from the University of Michigan. She was a life-long lover of reading and poetry a teacher and a collaborator with her husband on writing projects and other causes especially promoting Christian education as well as building homes growing vegetables and of course raising their large family. In the following years she loved and inspired her growing extended family. Into her eighties she taught and took classes in the Calvin Academy of Lifelong Learning. She was involved in an on-going book club with dear friends for 42 years. Throughout her life she sought justice and savored the beauty of God’s world. Among her favorite causes was the Committee for Women in the CRC. She was a member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church for more than 40 years. Gertrude was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years Nicholas Henry; and by her son Joel; and sisters Jeanette Walkotten and Elsie Gideon. She is survived by her children Eric Beversluis and Lynn Underwood Terry and Ross Glass Gwen Beversluis Ladd and Thea Beversluis Marc and Claudia Beversluis Ben and Ramona Beversluis and Mary and Ed Tuinstra; as well as 25 grandchildren 19 great-grandchildren; and by in-laws Gerda Beversluis Henry Gideon Anne and Jim Etterbeek Wilma Beversluis Gerry VanderPutten; and many nephews nieces and friends. A memorial service will be held 3 p.m. January 12 in the Calvin Theological Seminary Chapel. Friends are invited to greet the family from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. at the seminary. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Calvin College for the Beversluis Awards for the study of Christian education or to the environmental or Christian justice fund of the giver’s choice.
