Shirley Mae (Kroeze) Van Hees

Shirley Mae Van Hees, our beautiful mother, age 87, of North Muskegon, passed away peacefully on Friday, January 24, 2025, with her family by her side to go home to be with her Lord. She was born on May 26, 1937, to the late Harvey and Evelyn (Burge) Kroeze in Muskegon.

Shirley was the youngest of three girls: her older sisters, Beverly and Joyce. She graduated from Muskegon Christian High School in 1955 and studied Nursing at Hackley Hospital. Shirley married John E. Van Hees on June 14, 1957 at their family's church, Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church in Muskegon. Together, they had five children. John preceded her in death on May 4, 1975.

Shirley was well known in local business due to her outside ad sales for the Muskegon Chronicle. Her faith in the Lord was of utmost importance in her life. She was active in her local Christian church where she was chair of the worship committee for many years. Shirley was the founder of the Child Abuse Council of Muskegon County where she also served as the President of the board of directors for several years. She was also active with P.E.O. (Philanthropic Educational Organization), a philanthropic organization where women motivate, educate, and celebrate women.

Shirley had many interests including a love for gardening, travel, music, reading, crosswords, and the love of her pets.

Shirley will be lovingly remembered and missed by her daughters, Sherry (Doug) Frifeldt of Holland and Julie (Santiago) Cruz of Traverse City; sons, Jon Van Hees of North Muskegon, Greg (Terri) Van Hees of Grand Haven, and Bob (Lourdes) Van Hees of Speedwell, TN; nine grandchildren: Rachael (Brandwell), Andrea (Chris), Douglas John (Tonya), Jared (Katie), Audra (Court), Drew (Michaela), Krysten (Ethan), Brandon (Karyl Anne), and Ryan (Robbie); 14 great-grandchildren: Kathryn, Danielle, Brynn, Megan, Gavin, Caliope, Owen, Liam, Noah, Madilynn, Zachary, Ava, Harper, and Easton; along with many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; infant great-grandson, Ezra John Frifeldt; and sisters, Beverly (John) Walhout and Joyce (Edwin) Vanderlaan.

The Memorial Service for Shirley will take place at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at Klaassen Family Funeral Home with Pastor Glenn Wagner officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Interment will take place at Lake Forest Cemetery.

Memorial Contributions in memory of Shirley M. Van Hees may be made to the Child Abuse Council of Muskegon (1781 Peck St. Muskegon, MI 49441).

** The Memorial Service for Shirley will be live-streamed beginning at 11:00 a.m., on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. 

Please click here to view:  https://youtube.com/live/t7CzuNRRwhg?feature=share

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