The Van Halsema sisters 1940 and 1990

Good memories for a Christmas Day. Backyard of 219 Myrtle Avenue, Passaic, NJ, September 3, 1944:

l-r: Bernice, Betsy, (mother Nellie in the background) Helen, Will and Marian

Photo taken at the bridal shower for Betsy VandePolder, daughter of Helen Van Halsema VandePolder, August 10, 1990:

l-r: Bernice, Will, Marian, Betsy, Helen

Tunis VandenBerg 1921-1999

Tunis had, has, the unique distinction of celebrating his birthday on Christmas eve.

Happy birthday Tune!

Melissa's 8th birthday party in Grandville, Michigan, June 1990

Grandparents and happy grandkids, Bakersfield, California, 1988

Tunis and granddaughter Rachel

Joyce holding Jonathan, Melissa and Christina and Grandpa Tunis, Bakersfield 1986

The VandenBergs, Fremont, Michigan, 1970s - l-r: William, Susan, Joyce, Mary and Dick, seated: Tunis and Bernice 

Thanks to Joyce for sharing the photos!

Postcards from Paris

The VandenBergs, portrait of a family

Susan's uncle John VandenBerg passed away this past Veterans' Day. He was the last of nine siblings and an older brother of Susan's father Tunis who passed away in 1999. This small video is a tribute to the family that Rotterdam natives Marinus VandenBerg and Nellie Visser brought into this world.

 

Random thoughts from Grand Rapids

With an emphasis on the word "random."

By-and-large it's been a quiet fall season here in Western Michigan. It was a gorgeous autumn and we have seen little of Father Winter or whatever he's calling himself these days.

A stroll through Meijer Gardens earlier in the season resulted in a couple of lovely shots of fall foliage along with an obscenely large pumpkin, which wasn't even orange.

Every since Uncle John went home to be cared for by his family we've tried to pitch in whenever possible to held ease the strain on Scott and Jen -- and it's always pleasure to share happy moments with sisters Jen and Melissa, Scott and granddaughter Claire.

In November Susie decided to weigh in on a couple of west Michigan craft shows to show off her talents and spread the word about the French Tarte.

The first one was at Saint Nicholas Church in Grand Rapids for a festival called Beneath the Wreath.

Oh, and just to keep everyone on their toes, here's a photo taken in of the Van Halsema clan at the wedding dinner for Gerard and Fran Van Halsema. Fran passed away recently here in Grand Rapids and a gathering of all her children brought lots of memories and stories to be recalled and shared.

l-r: Betsy DeKorne, Jack DeKorme, Helen Van Halsema unknown male at the far end, Bernice and Tunis VandenBerg, unknown female, Nellie and Emo Van Halsema

Susan's second gig in November was a craft show at the Tri-Cities Museum in Grand Haven, MI.

For Thanksgiving several Van Halsema cousins gather at the Ten Have-Galloway home out at Clear Lake -- with Uncle John sitting up and in a chair!

Garrett and Laurie 

Claire, Scott and Jen

Matt with Dude

Melissa 

Robert, Melissa, Daniel Matthew, Megan and Jeff

Cousins Maria and Megan

Merry Christmas to you all!

Happy Birthday William J VandenBerg

The oldest child and oldest boy of Tunis VandenBerg and Bernice Van Halsema, William J VandenBerg 1950-2012.

Photo taken in 1955 at 413 Oak Street, Fremont, MI.