Obituary: Gladys DeBoer, 81, of Ludington

Gladys DeBoer

Gladys June (Drost) DeBoer, 81, of Ludington, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord, on Monday, October 28, 2024.

Gladys was born on February 28, 1943, in Zeeland, the daughter of the late Dick and Johanna (VandenBosch) Drost. She graduated from Zeeland High School in 1961. On June 6, 1961, she married her forever, Wayne DeBoer. Together they shared over 60 memorable years together until his passing in 2022.

Gladys was employed at various places. Most recently, she was employed at Walmart as the fitting room attendant. She also worked at LDI, Star Watch Case, and Memorial Medical Center Food Service. She was a member of Harbor Light Church.

Gladys was very talented in knitting and crocheting. She loved making many hats over the years and donating them. She loved blessing people with the beautiful afghans she created as well. When outdoors, she enjoyed sitting on her deck, watching the birds and looking them up in her bird book. Her pets brought her much joy. Often, she would be found watching animal videos, and if she could, she’d watch them for hours! She had amazingly dry humor that would catch you off guard at times. She loved to pull pranks and got great joy out of shocking people with her wit. In her last few years, she loved to feel needed and would help people when she could. She genuinely cared about others and will be greatly missed. Her motto in life was, “there is always room for ice cream”.

Gladys is survived by her daughter, Tami (Buck) Hawke; son, Duane (Loraine) DeBoer; brothers, Larry (Jeannie Walker) Drost, and Doug (Julie) Drost; sisters, Linda VanKirk, Diane (Ron) Hellanthal, and Cindy (Rob) Parelli; grandchildren, James (BobbyJoe Rees) Hawke, Wayne (Tanya) Hawke, Larry (Amber) Hawke, Jenifer (Alex) Jepson, Crysta Martin, Roger (Quarteney) Wiles, and Brandon Keith; great grandchildren, James Jr., Trent, Faith, Brooke, Kaitlynn, Sylvan, Jadynn, Christopher, Emma, and Bella.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne DeBoer; parents, Dick and Johanna Drost; sister, Carol Kooiman; and great granddaughter, Kya Hawke.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, November 16, 2024 at Riverton Township Hall at 11a.m.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Oakview Medical Care Facility.

Arrangements were entrusted to Oak Grove Funeral Home of Ludington, www.OakGroveLudington.com.