Gerry Huver

What is so amazing about the life of Gerry Huver was not a long list of recognized accomplishments or a wealth of material possessions. Rather, what made her life so extraordinary, were the lives she touched in ways too numerous to count as an outpouring of her sacrificial heart. Gerry was full of life and always one to stay busy, her life a true reflection of the calling from her Lord to be the hands and feet of God. A devoted mother, Gerry viewed caring for her family to be her highest calling, an investment which also brought her the greatest blessing as the generations who follow her will be her lasting legacy.

The worldwide Great Depression of 1929 and the early 1930s had crippling effects on the Dutch economy, lasting longer than in most other European countries. The depression led to high unemployment and widespread poverty there, as well as increasing social unrest. There was great joy during this time, however, for the family of Jan and Grietje (Wenning) DeVreeze as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Gerry, on April 14, 1931. Gerry was born in Bakhuizen, Netherlands, located in Friesland in the northern portion of the country, as the fourth of thirteen children in her family. From the young age of four, Gerry became proficient in knitting, a skill that would serve her well throughout her life. She attended St. Odulphus School, although as a girl, she wasn’t allowed to attend high school.

Life turned a new corner for Gerry one night when she attended a dance, although in a rather unexpected way. She was there with her boyfriend, but she couldn’t resist being a bit smitten by a tall and handsome young man wearing an Army Medical Corps uniform. His name was Antoon “Tony” Huver and Tony’s sister, Femie, introduced Gerry to him. That evening in 1948 proved to be the beginning of a love story that would span more than 55 years. After a traditional courtship, the couple became engaged. During this time there was an extreme shortage of housing in their homeland so the family immigrated to Amherstburg, Ontario, a small town near the mouth of the Detroit River. Shortly thereafter, the Canadian government informed Tony that he had six weeks to marry Gerry or she would be deported. The demand was an easy one to fulfill, and Gerry became Mrs. Antoon Huver on February 13, 1954, at St. John the Baptist Church in Amherstburg.

Anxious to begin their lives as husband and wife, Gerry and Tony settled into a small studio apartment in Windsor. Tony worked in an automobile glass factory in Windsor, and they lived a humble life without a car. In order to get anywhere, they either walked or made the trip across the Detroit River in a leaky boat. A year after they exchanged their vows, Gerry and Tony were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Margo. In 1956, their family of three moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan, where Gerry had family who sponsored their move. Tony was able to secure a job, and their family grew to include three more children, Jack, Mike and Karen. Gerry completely dedicated herself into caring for her children. Their family made numerous precious memories on their camping trips and weekends at the beach in South Haven during the summer months.

Gerry’s kind and tender heart extended far beyond those in her family. In fact, she was always doing something for others. Gerry was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church where many of her volunteer efforts were devoted. She served as a Eucharistic minister, served coffee and donuts after the Sunday services along with her husband, and helped gather donations for local migrant workers. Gerry and Tony also enjoyed connecting with others through their affiliation with the couples club through their church. Gerry regularly donated blood to the American Red Cross. She put her knitting and sewing skills to work making a variety of items to donate such as hats and mittens for the school and clothes for the premature babies in the hospital. She was known to do whatever she could for those who were in need, often driving older neighbors wherever they needed to go.

In addition to caring for her family and her many volunteer activities, there were a few other interests that Gerry enjoyed as well. She read fiction, loved working in her flower gardens and was a member of the American Sewing Guild. Gerry liked to bake traditional Dutch treats and was also a good cook. She continued to do a lot of sewing including many of her children’s clothes and even Margo’s wedding dress! Gerry worked in sales at Probasco’s Fabrics, where she passed her wealth of knowledge on to those who came into the store. She was great at estimating how much fabric a customer would need to complete their project – a true expert indeed. Gerry loved her work there and especially loved getting to choose from new fabrics and accessories that came into the store. She finally retired in 1985 after many years of service. Gerry was an active walker throughout her life, often walking the dogs she had during the majority of her life, and she had a love for all animals as well.

Gerry Huver was an energetic woman who brought so much joy to others throughout her life. She was always donating her time and talents, giving whatever she could - and then some. Gerry was a gifted seamstress, a talented gardener, and an incredible baker, but to those who knew and loved her, she was an extraordinary woman with an endless heart. She cherished the times she spent with the family she created with the love of her life, and it was her family who gave her such strength during the days following the death of her beloved husband in 2004. Only when her health demanded did Gerry begin to slow down, yet her spirit was never shaken. She will be dearly missed by countless others who will be forever grateful for the moments they were given to share with such a gracious woman.

Gerry Huver of Kalamazoo died January 15, 2010. Gerry’s family includes her four children: Margo (Steve) Zywicki, Jack (Arlene) Huver, Michael Huver and Karen (Tony) Martella, six grandchildren, five sisters, three brothers, and many nieces and nephews. Gerry was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Antoon “Tony” Huver and by two brothers and two sisters. Learn more about Gerry at her visitation, view her Life Story film, and visit with her family and friends on Monday from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes – Kalamazoo, MI; 6080 Stadium Drive, 375-2900 where a prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Tuesday 11:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church - 936 Lake street Kalamazoo, MI. Luncheon will follow the mass then burial at Schoolcraft Cemetery. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can sign her guest book, share a memory or photo, or make a memorial contribution to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Kalamazoo Gospel Mission, Kalamazoo Humane Society, or PPH Research.