Marlene Janice Schaap (nee Elgersma) left her earthly home to move to her heavenly home on Saturday, January 27, at 7:00 a.m. She had been a resident at American House in their assisted living facility for just three weeks. Prior to that she was living at home with her husband of 71 years, Kenneth Schaap. Marlene had been under Hospice of Holland’s care since September of 2023.
Marlene was born in Zeeland hospital but was a lifelong resident of Holland. Marlene trusted Jesus Christ as her Savior when she was 15 years old while attending a tent revival where Joe Henry Hankins preached a sermon on Hell. She became an ardent believer and was part of the founding membership along with her husband Ken of Rose Park Baptist Church in Holland. There, Marlene was deeply involved with the music program where she played her accordion and was the church organist for 40 years. She also wrote dozens of songs and loved music, often singing around the house and making melody in her heart. Ken and Marlene started and operated the Ken-Mar Mobile Home Park and Sales business on Lincoln Avenue in 1969, where Marlene excelled in selling new mobile homes, being recognized numerous times for her salesmanship. They delighted in working together. Marlene suffered from a near-fatal accident when she was a teenager. The Holland Sentinel headlined her as having died from her injuries, but thankfully, the announcement was premature by 70+ years. Later in her life, those injuries caused much pain and for the last 20 years of her life, pain was a constant companion. Her husband devoted himself to her care and the two of them manifested the loving constancy they had showed all their years together. The one word that epitomized Marlene is “family.” She loved and enjoyed nothing as much as family time, family vacations, family meals, family anything. She adored her grand and great grandchildren. The family rejoices for her sake that she is with her parents and her Savior Jesus Christ in Heaven and now is pain free.
Marlene was preceded in death by: her parents, John and Margaret Elgersma.
Marlene is survived by: her husband, Ken; her daughter Kristi (Roger) Lemmen; her son, Jack (Traci) Schaap; four grandchildren, Tami (Jeff) Parks, Tom (Alana) Lemmen, Jaclynn (Todd) Weber, and Ken (Candace) Schaap; thirteen great grandchildren, Joshua (Bethany) Parks and Jonny (Chloe) Parks; Lyndsay, Ray, Alexys, and Jayke Weber; Jayden, Conner, and Audrey Lemmen; Ken, Chloe, Clarke, and Claire Schaap; her brother, Alan (Marcia) Elgersma of Hamilton, and her half-brother, Harvey VanHoven of Rochester, NY.
Services for Marlene are being cared for by Lakeshore Funeral Services, 11939 James Street, in Holland. Viewing will be Wednesday, January 31, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be at the funeral home at 1 p.m. on Thursday with a meal following. Interment will be at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
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