- Date Of Birth: January 13, 1926
- Date Of Death: April 18, 2011
- State: Michigan
VanAlphen, Christine “Stientje”, Of Kalamazoo, MI. Christine passed away peacefully the morning of April 18, 2011 at her Park Place residence. She was born January 13, 1926 in Gameren, The Netherlands to Willem and Anneke VanDenOever VanHemert who preceded her in death. Also preceding her was Myndert, her loving husband of 60 years, beloved son John, three brothers and one sister.
She is survived by her daughter Annette VanAlphen, daughter-in-law Denise Smith of Kalamazoo, daughter-in-law Gail VanAlphen, grandson Michael VanAlphen of Zeeland, MI, two sisters in the Netherlands and many nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States and the Netherlands. Christine and Myndert immigrated to Kalamazoo in 1952. She worked at Western Michigan University in food service where she eventually retired after 17 years. She also dedicated over 25 years volunteering for Meals on Wheels. Christine loved to travel with her husband and family. They traveled both in the states and abroad. Going through the Panama Canal was one of her many travel highlights. Christine had a strong faith and was a member of Bethany Reformed Church. Her strength and character made her the rock of her entire family.
She was a very special woman who always went above and beyond to help anyone who needed it whether or not she knew them. Her door was always open where she made everyone feel welcome and loved. Her endless amount of generosity and compassion has touched everyone who knew her. She will be dearly missed by all of her family and friends.
