Helen Bode, age 84, of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord & Savior Tuesday, May 16, 2023. She passed away unexpectedly after an accident and died at the hospital surrounded by her family. Born March 29,1939, in Groningen, Netherlands, she was the oldest child of Bernard & Margaret teVelde. She is preceded in death by her first husband David Vander Molen, her son-in-law Paul Betten, her second husband Harold Bode, and her step-daughter Deborah Bode.

Helen came to the United States in August of 1947 and attended West Side Christian School and Grand Rapids Christian High School. She graduated from Butterworth School of Nursing in 1958 and worked as an RN at Little Traverse Bay Hospital in Petoskey and many of the hospitals in the Grand Rapids area. It was difficult for her to leave a profession she loved dearly, but after 50 years of nursing, she retired.

She married her high school sweetheart in February of 1960. A short time later, they moved to Petoskey, MI where David opened David's Clothing Store. Helen worked full time as a nurse and was the part time bookkeeper for the store. In 1971, after suddenly losing her husband in an auto accident, she and her three young children moved back to Grand Rapids to be closer to family. In May of 1976, she married her second husband, Harold Bode. They lived in Grand Rapids raising their blended family of six. In Helen's spare time, she enjoyed gardening, swimming in pools and lakes, reading stacks of books, golfing in Michigan and Florida, playing tennis, walking in the woods, skiing out West and in Michigan, ice skating ,traveling to many places, caring for all sorts of animals, and playing games. Helen has been a faithful member of Calvin CRC for many years. She enjoyed her time serving as an elder and a deacon, but the place at church that brought her the most joy was working in the Family Assistance Clothing Ministry, filling needs for the community.

Helen is survived by her brother Bernard teVelde (Marlene) of Seattle, WA; her sister Grace Terborg of Kalamazoo; her brother John teVelde (Anita) of Connecticut; her children Amy Betten (Todd Bosgraaf), David Vander Molen (Leigh), and Dean Vander Molen (Carrie); her step-children Bill Bode (Liz ) and Dan Bode (Judy); grandchildren Annika (Brandon) Schott, Chris (Ashley) Bode, Katy (John) Salter, Greg (Samantha) Bode, Brian Bode, Amanda (Mike) Davidson, Collin Betten, Emily Betten, Elise Betten, Eleanor Vander Molen, and Henry VanderMolen; and great-grandchildren Matthew Schott, Cameron Schott, Parker Schott, Max Bode, Molly Bode, Grayson Salter, Adelyn Salter, Blake Bode, Braydon Bode & Veda Davidson.

Visitation is prior to the service from 10:30 to noon, Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Calvin CRC Fellowship Hall. The funeral will be held at Calvin CRC at 12:00pm (noon) with a light luncheon immediately following. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be designated for Calvin Church Family Assistance. 700 Ethel Grand Rapids, MI 49506.