Beverly Jean (Kroeze) Walhout

Beverly Jean Walhout, age 93, of Grand Haven passed away peacefully, Saturday, October 24, 2020 with her family by her side to go home to be with her Lord. She was born on August 2, 1927 to the late Harvey and Evelyn (Burge) Kroeze in Muskegon.

Beverly was the first born of three girls, her younger sisters being Joyce and Shirley. She graduated from Muskegon High School and Muskegon School of Business. Beverly married John R. Walhout on October 22, 1948 at their family’s church, Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Muskegon.  Together, they had a daughter and son, Susan Beth and Ross Robert. Her husband, John, passed away on May 9, 2003 after 54 years of marriage. As Beverly often said,”Her husband and children were the light of her life.”

Later, John and Beverly moved to Grand Haven, where they lived and raised their family. Bev was a member of Calvin Christian Reformed Church of Muskegon. She was a volunteer and member of the Grand Haven Women’s Club, the N.O.C.H. Auxiliary, and Spring Lake Country Club. Bev also served as President of the Free Bed Guild at N.O.C.H., and President of the West Central District of the Michigan Association of Hospital Auxiliaries.

Beverly worked as a medical secretary for Dr. Frank Groat for 14 years before her retirement. She loved music, reading, genealogy, modeling, and knitting sweaters for children in need and Prayer Shawls for those in nursing homes. Beverly cherished the times traveling with her family up at the cottage on the Pine River, and playing the organ at home as well as the Country Church. She also thoroughly enjoyed her role as a former Mayor’s wife of Grand Haven.

Beverly is lovingly remembered and missed by her children, Susan (Robert) Lass of Austin, TX and Ross (Marilyn) Walhout of Grand Haven; grandchildren, Jeffrey (Sherri) Lass, Brian Lass, Marissa (Dan) Hojdila; great-grandchildren, Justin, Jessica, and Ryan Lass, Nathan and Abigail Hojdila; two dearly loved sisters, Joyce Vander Laan and Shirley Van Hees; several nieces and nephews; and many Kroeze cousins who were so special to Beverly. 

George Washington Carver once said, “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with striving, and tolerant of the weak and strong.”

and Emerson said, “…to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.  This is to have succeeded.”  By these measures, Beverly most assuredly went far in life and succeeded greatly.

The Funeral Service for Beverly will be 11:00 a.m. Thursday, October 29, 2020 at Klaassen Family Funeral Home with Pastor Mark Milkamp officiating.  Interment will be in Lake Forest Cemetery.  Friends are invited to meet the family from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28, 2020, and one hour prior to the service Thursday at the funeral home. Social Distancing and Masks are required.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Hospice of North Ottawa Community or the Calvin Christian Reformed Church-Hearts and Hands.

“I love you all. I’ll wait for you in Glory.”- Mom

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