Marlene Vugteveen, age 88, died on August 1, 2024. She was a caring and godly woman, a committed wife, devoted mother and grandmother, and a gifted teacher.

Marlene was born October 16, 1935 at Hull, Iowa to C.M. and Jennie (Ten Harmsel) Vugteveen. She attended school in Hull and Rock Valley. Three months after graduating from Western Christian High School, she began her teaching career in a two-room schoolhouse in Inwood, Iowa where she had 27 students in four grades. She taught there for three years, then for two years in Rock Valley, after which she moved to Grand Rapids to continue her education at Calvin College. While studying there she taught half day kindergarten at Oakdale Christian School, and then after marrying Jochem (Joe) Vugteveen in 1960, one year full-time. It was twenty years later, while she and Joe were still bringing up their four children that Marlene finished her studies to become a certified teacher. She graduated from West Chester University in Pennsylvania in 1981. She then taught for more than twelve years at Delaware County Christian School in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, followed by many years of substituting at many different schools in New Jersey and Grand Rapids. Marlene was a talented teacher and blessed the lives of many students. From packs of notes of encouragement from students' parents in her files, it is apparent that one of her strengths was to help students develop confidence in themselves.

In 1962 Marlene joined Joe in serving in the ministry of the Christian Reformed denomination. She was much involved in their ministries at churches in Wisconsin, Illinois, Ontario, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She used her gifts of teaching, of music, and of hospitality in each of the churches they served. She made many friends and has long maintained some of those friendships.

In 1998 Marlene and Joe retired from full-time ministry, moving to Grand Rapids. In addition to continuing her substitute teaching, Marlene continued to be involved in Church ministries.

Marlene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe, her son Jon of Grand Ledge, MI, her sisters Betty Vander Schaaf and Annetta Vander Lugt. She will be missed by her children Jane and Bill Bradshaw of Exton, PA, Chuck and Linda Vugteveen and Eric and Angelika Vugteveen all of Richmond, VA, her daughter-in-law Tansley, by her nine grandchildren Kassandra (Josh), John, Bill (Jen), Julianne (Collin), Cory, Lauren (Zac), Casey (Corey), Jeremy and Nadia, her great grandchildren, her sister Joyce and her brother Harold.

A funeral service will be held at Raybrook Manor, 2121 Raybrook St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546, on Sunday, August 11, at 3:00 PM, with one hour of visitation prior to the service from 2 to 3 PM. Memorial gifts may be sent to Harmony Communities, PO BOX 845, Jenison, MI 42429-0845, in memory of Marlene Vugteveen.