Jeanette "Jean" Albers VanderLaan

Jeanette VanderLaan, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, teacher, and friend, died in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the age of 89, five years to the day after her husband, Karl, of 64 and a half years. She had been living with dementia in recent years, and a fall and stroke led to a rapid decline at the end of her life.

Jean was born on November 29, 1936, in Hanford, California, the daughter of Nellie (Beets) and Jacob Nicholaas Albers. The second of five children, she grew up in Artesia, California, in a household marked by tradition, resilience, and faith. Though shy as a girl, speaking only Dutch before going to school, she discovered her voice in music, finding joy and confidence in singing, a gift that would shape her life.

Although her early years were moderated by the strict boundaries of Dutch Reformed life—where movies, dances, and many forms of socializing were off-limits—her progressive Aunt in San Diego opened her eyes to a world beyond those rules. That influence nurtured Jean’s independence with a curiosity and openness to new experiences.

Jean attended high school first in California and later in Iowa, before continuing her education at Hope College in Holland, Michigan, as a sophomore transfer. While her father’s old-world philosophy said education wasn’t needed, not just for women but men, too, she said she was going, and he still paid for it. It was there, while singing in the choir, that she met fellow music lover Karl Edwin VanderLaan (1934 - 2021). They married in October 1956, and, following the custom of the time, Jean left her studies to begin their life together.

Jean devoted herself to raising their children—Steven Blake (1957–1964), who died at the tender age of seven from a car crash, James Craig (1960) (Kathy Jo), Scott Alan (1964), and Susan Beth Vander Kolk (1966) (Bruce). Even in those busy years when their children were young, she returned to school at Grand Valley State University. With Karl’s steadfast support—he cooked meals, cared for the children, and managed the household—Jean pursued her studies and went on to complete the equivalent of two and a half master’s degrees, partly to increase her pension, but also because she loved learning. A lifelong learner, she valued education not only as a personal achievement but also as a means to share her passions with others.

Teaching was both Jean’s career and her calling. She began in kindergarten classrooms, later moving to third grade when back issues made teaching younger children difficult. Her teaching was always more than lessons and textbooks: it was about nurturing curiosity, inspiring confidence, and showing children the joy of discovery. Her gift for teaching extended far beyond school walls—whether mentoring fellow bridge players, leading book clubs, planning weekly programs at the Women’s City Club, or helping her grandchildren explore their own passions. For Jean, every stage of life was an opportunity to learn something new and to pass that knowledge on. She even accomplished her long-time goal of becoming an author, publishing a collection of children's books and her memoir in retirement.

Her family life with Karl was rich with traditions—summers at Murray Lake, winters in Florida, traveling the world, and designing and decorating seven homes side by side. Jean was devoted to her grandchildren, Nicholas James (John T. Jones), Elizabeth Mae, Julia Leigh Harper (Addison), and Zachary James, celebrating every milestone, performance, and achievement with joy and pride. And she was fortunate to welcome two great-grandchildren, Elliott Lee and Emma Grace.

Beyond family and teaching, Jean cultivated a vibrant circle of friendships and interests. She was an avid bridge player and teacher, a voracious reader active in and leading multiple book clubs, and a proud member of the Women’s City Club and Sweet House. She lent her time and support to Symphony Friends, the Grand Rapids Symphony, Friends of the Opera, and Opera Grand Rapids. Given her own experience, she was also a passionate supporter of P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), which offers scholarships to first-time, non-traditional, or returning female students in Grand Rapids, MI. She also had a lifelong fascination with the British Royal Family, eagerly following their lives and milestones as if they were extended kin. At home, she loved word games of all types, and observers marveled at her ability to solve entire Wheel of Fortune puzzles in seconds with only a letter or two revealed.

Jean was also the queen of one-liners, quick with wit and humor that could break the tension and bring a room to laughter. Her sharp observations and playful remarks were part of her signature presence, reminders that wisdom and humor often go hand in hand.

Jean’s later years were not without loss and challenge, particularly the death of Karl in 2021 and grappling with dementia, but she carried them with the same grace that defined her life. In her memoir, Jean reflected:

“Aging is not easy, the deaths of family and friends so hard to bear. Going through a lot together, Losing a child unthinkable and difficult, Growing, changing, Health issues so typical of aging, support so valued.

Through it all, longevity of our marriage Tested now and then Adjusting to whatever comes along Grateful to have each other in these later years A lifetime of love and sharing A wonderful life!”

Jean was preceded in death by her sister Nellie Teune, and will be missed by her remaining sisters Alida DeBoer, Nancy Markus (Terry), and brother, Ray Albers (Lena).

The immediate family is gathering privately to remember her life and the impact she had on theirs.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Karl and Jean VanderLaan Fund for Music Education at the Grand Rapids Symphony or to the Sweet House Foundation, both of which Jean supported passionately. Arrangements are by the Marshall Funeral Home, Greenville, with complete obituary online at www.marshallfuneralhomeinc.com where you can leave a message of condolence for the family.