1929
Mary
2018
Mary Jane Drenthe
December 25, 1929 — January 18, 2018
Mary Jane Drenthe
Of Hastings, died January 18, 2018 at age 97. Mary Jane was born December 25, 1920 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Alfred and Vesta (Crowell) Birch. She graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago, Illinois, and then attended Illinois State Normal University. She married Paul W. Drenthe on May 8, 1942. They moved to Hastings in 1974. Mary Jane worked for Barry-Eaton Health Department for 11 years as a secretary. She was a member of the Saint Andrew and Matthias Anglican Church of Irving, GFWC Hastings Women's Club and Thornapple Garden Club. Mary Jane loved spending time with her family. She was an awesome cook, an avid reader and love to quilt. Mary Jane and her daughter, Barb, participated in craft shows for many years where they where known as MOM and ME.
She was preceded in death by her parent's, brother James A. Birch who was killed in the Korean war, husband Paul and loving daughter Janet Louise Pape. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Doug and Barb Benner with whom she lived, 6 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. "Nana", as her grandchildren called her, will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will take place May 12, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. A visitation will also be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, prior to the service.
Of Hastings, died January 18, 2018 at age 97. Mary Jane was born December 25, 1920 in Battle Creek, Michigan, the daughter of Alfred and Vesta (Crowell) Birch. She graduated from Fenger High School in Chicago, Illinois, and then attended Illinois State Normal University. She married Paul W. Drenthe on May 8, 1942. They moved to Hastings in 1974. Mary Jane worked for Barry-Eaton Health Department for 11 years as a secretary. She was a member of the Saint Andrew and Matthias Anglican Church of Irving, GFWC Hastings Women's Club and Thornapple Garden Club. Mary Jane loved spending time with her family. She was an awesome cook, an avid reader and love to quilt. Mary Jane and her daughter, Barb, participated in craft shows for many years where they where known as MOM and ME.
She was preceded in death by her parent's, brother James A. Birch who was killed in the Korean war, husband Paul and loving daughter Janet Louise Pape. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law Doug and Barb Benner with whom she lived, 6 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 3 great, great grandchildren. "Nana", as her grandchildren called her, will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
A Celebration of Life will take place May 12, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings. A visitation will also be held from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, prior to the service.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Mary Jane Drenthe, please visit our flower store.
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