Carol Ann (Appledorn) Brouwer

Carol Ann Brouwer, age 82 of Grand Haven, passed away on Sunday, February 13, 2022 at home after a prolonged struggle with cancer. She was born in Holland, Michigan on February 2, 1940 to the late Gerald and Tracy (Heil) Appledorn.

Carol attended Holland Christian Schools and earned her teaching degree at Calvin University, where she met her husband, Richard Brouwer, whom she married on June 30, 1961 in Holland. They recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.

Carol began her elementary teaching career in Chelsea, Michigan while her husband was attending the School of Social work at the U of M. Later, the family moved to Grand Rapids, where she continued her teaching career and, with her husband, raised four children.

Carol’s family moved to Grand Haven in 1978 where, shortly after, she resumed her elementary teaching career. It has been said that she bungled her initial job interview, but her principal had the vision to look beyond her stumbling for words to recognize that he had here a lover of children capable of being an excellent and nurturing teacher. She surely was, and the interview became their standing joke.

Carol taught third grade at Rosy Mound Elementary School for over thirty years until her retirement. Retirement years freed her to do a range of activities, from tent camping throughout the country to mudding drywall (not her favorite activity), and as a volunteer in the Hurricane Katrina rebuild on three different occasions.

Closer to home, Carol and her husband volunteered at the People Center of Spring Lake. She was an avid reader and enjoyed book discussions with her book club.

Carol acquired a wonderful group of friends along the way, some from church, and others from her YMCA activities. Her welcoming smile and unassuming way served to open many doors for her. Her family will be forever grateful for the way her friends supported and included her to the end.

Carol is survived by her husband, Richard; her son, Jeffrey (Linda) Brouwer; her daughters, Sarajane (George) Gardner, Sally (Mark) Bryant, and Molly (Wayne Silver) Brouwer; as well as her nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two brothers, Robert and Jerry Appledorn.

Her family was at the core of her existence.

The family invites all who knew her and/or her family to join them for a Celebration of Life in her honor. Guests are encouraged to share their fondest or funniest memories at a casual gathering to be held on Saturday, July 2, 2022 from 2-5 p.m. at 15241 Vintage Ave. in Grand Haven.

Memorial Contributions may be made to Tri-Cities Y.M.C.A. Miss Mary Ann Scholarship Fund or the People Center-Spring Lake.

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