Anne Ruth (Appledorn) Mulder celebrated her homecoming on Friday, November 17.
She will always be remembered by those who knew and loved her for her contagious smile, her devotion to those she held close to her heart, and her fun-loving personality. Anne was born on October 11, 1935, to William and Gertrude Appledorn in Holland, Michigan. She was the youngest of four children and grew up in a busy and active household. In high school, she was active in many clubs, including Dutch Dance, which became a lifelong passion. As a member of both the Junior and then the Senior Dutch Dance Exhibition Group, she was instrumental in developing the dance that is still performed at the Tulip Time Festival today, and later, in 1970, she founded and led the Holland Alumni Dutch Dance program. After graduation in 1953, she attended Hope College and then headed to San Francisco. She didn’t stay out west long though—Holland always held her heart. Shortly after moving home, she met Paul (also known as Putts) Mulder, the love of her life. They married in 1960 and began a beautiful life of 59 years together. Anne worked outside of the home for a while, but her true “job” was her kids, and she did that job so well. She was always there for them, whether that was swim meets, soccer games, basketball games, track meets, and everything else in between. Much to Putts’ chagrin, her love for Dutch Dance and Tulip Time continued to bloom. In the end, her unending enthusiasm prevailed, and even Putts saw the beauty in the tulips, wooden shoes, and tradition. Her home was always a warm and inviting place for friends and family to gather, and her passion and commitment to her family flowed in abundance to her nieces, nephews, and especially her grandchildren and great grandchild.
She is preceded in death by her incredible husband Paul, her brother William (Lois) Appledorn, her sister Norma (John) Sprick, her brother Ron (Barb) Appledorn, and so many beloved members of her Mulder family.
She is lovingly remembered by her children Dawn and Craig Abbott (Ian, Emma and Devon Main, and great granddaughter Margaux), Kris and Craig Berens (Elliott and Grace), Karin and Christopher Lance (Donovan, Charlotte, and Jennifer), Mark and Tina Mulder (Jarod and Caleb), and Paul’s remaining siblings John and Ellie Mulder and Roger and Bev Mulder.
The family will welcome friends and family to a visitation on Sunday, November 26 from 5-7pm at First Reformed Church (630 State St., Holland). A memorial service will take place on Monday, November 27 at 11:00am with a one-hour visitation prior to the service also at First Reformed Church.
