Evelyn Clara (Evie) Westmaas, child of God, went home to be with Jesus on June 24, 2022 after a brief illness.  Over the course of her 88 years, she was a beloved daughter, sister, mother, grand- and great-grandmother, a dedicated church volunteer, a gifted pianist and organist and a community leader. She was a compassionate and kind person, and a friend to many, including people with disabilities. For her children, she was the center of the family home and an example of love which still serves as a model for the generations following.

Evie was born to John and Gertrude (Verburg) Kenbeek, the second child and one of three daughters and a son. She grew up as a preacher's kid, moving with her family from Cincinnati, OH to Terra Ceia, NC and then to Highland, MI, in Missaukee County.

It was at Highland Church and Northern Michigan Christian School ln McBain that she met Richard Westmaas, a farmer's son.  She and Rich got to know each other in Young People's Society and discovered a common love of music.  As they got a little older, she began to accompany him on piano and organ when he sang at church and weddings.  Their friendship grew, bloomed into affection and then love.  They married on July 6, 1954, when she was 20 and Rich 21.

In their early married life, Rich and Evie moved several times, first for Rich's military service and then for graduate school and career. They settled in Grand Rapids in 1962, but in 1974 accepted a US State Dept. overseas posting to Kabul, Afghanistan. They returned to Michigan in 1977, to Cadillac.  In later years they enjoyed traveling for pleasure, education and service.

Evie loved music, and saw to it that in addition to a Christian education, her children had the opportunity to appreciate singing and making music, especially the kind made in the family home or in church.  Evie also had a love for children and a gift for teaching, whether in Sunday School or as a tutor or mentor. She was a dedicated volunteer in many programs, including Friendship Bible Class, Crossroads Prison Ministries, Love INC and Kid's Hope.  Evie was also a founding Board member of Friendship Family Homes, a group home for women with disabilities in Northern Michigan.

For a time, she served as office administrator for her husband's clinical psychology practice in Cadillac. During her 40 years of residence in Cadillac she participated in many musical, church, charity and community activities, and was a member of the Cadillac MI CRC.

After Rich's death, she moved back to Grand Rapids, established residence at Raybrook and rejoined Calvin CRC in 2017. Evie received a lot of support from members of the Holland Home/Raybrook/Estates I community, and told her children many times of her happiness there. She also contributed to the life of the place and the happiness of other residents.  We are thankful that she was embraced so closely by her new community.

Evie was preceded in death by her beloved husband Rich, in 2016, and also by her mother and father, and by her younger brother John. She is survived by her sisters Tona (Peter) Huiner, and Judy Elsess, and by four nephews and three nieces through her sisters.  Evie's children and spouses include Joel (Loralee) Westmaas, Heidi (Peter) Eliot, Amy (Dean) Smallegan, and Andy (Michele) Westmaas, all living.  Many grandchildren and their spouses have added to Evie's joy, including Katrena (Rob) Froh, Emily Westmaas, Thomas Eliot, Katharine Eliot, April Kuiper, Collin Schut, Jenny Schut, Ben (Christy) Potter, Nolan Potter, Jacob (Sydney) Westmaas and Rachel Westmaas, plus step-grandchildren Taylor Voss, Sarah Voss and Emily (Josiah) Granger, as well as 12 great-grandchildren.

A funeral service is planned for Thursday, July 7, at 11 am at Calvin Christian Reformed Church, 700 Ethel Ave., GR MI 49506. Visitation with family members will take place at the church one hour prior to the service, and lunch will be served following.  The service will be livestreamed beginning at 10:55 am on July 7. To connect, go to https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCCblmHBbe8AIzEyQxUM1VjA

Please click on or paste this link into your browser for an online obit and condolence page.at Zaagman Memorial Chapel https://www.zaagman.com/

and here for a public page https://obits.mlive.com/obituaries/grandrapids/

Evie supported the ministries of Kids Hope and Resonate Global.  Donations in lieu of flowers may be made to either of these organizations. On behalf of the family, thank you all for your love and care for our mom. May we all remember the gifts she shared with us, and rejoice in her heavenly homecoming.