This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: HARMSEN, RASMUSSEN, EBACH, LUKE Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kent/8626/mb.ashx Message Board Post: HARMSEN, Mrs. Dorothy (Dottie) Harmsen, 79, died Friday, Aug. 7, 2009, peacefully in her sleep at home. She was born April 5, 1930, in New York City, the daughter of Charles and Rose Rasmussen. She was valedictorian of her graduating class at New Rochelle High School and earned her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in elementary education from The University of Michigan, where she met her husband, Eugene J. (Bud). They married on August 30, 1952. He preceded her in death in 2003. She was active in the community, scouts and church. She was a founding member of New Day Community Church. She taught for many years at Henry and Jefferson schools in Grand Rapids. She had a lifelong love of learning and instilled the same love in her six children and 14 grandchildren, all of whom survive: Scott (Rebecca) of Kalamazoo; Mark (Pam) of Rockford; Brian (Nancy) of Florida, Laura (Chris) Ebach of Texas, Diane (Jim) Luke of Grand Rapids, and Erich (Sunday Paul) Harmsen of Rockford; her grandchildren, Monica, Benj! amin, Julie, Danny, Caroline, Trevor, Jessica, Kevin, Lisa, Alex, Samantha, Max, Charlie and Oliver. Also surviving are her sisters, Louise and Helen, and many cousins. She loved taking her grandchildren on outings, music, travel, gardening and baseball. She played basketball in school, field hockey at U-M and won several gold medals in the Grand Rapids Senior Olympics. She enjoyed tai chi and piano lessons in recent years. Funeral services will be held Wednesday 4:00 PM at the Zaagman Memorial Chapel with Dr. Philip Johnson officiating. The family will greet friends and relatives Tuesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM, as well as one hour prior to the funeral on Wednesday. Interment will be in Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Frederick Meijer Gardens or New Day Community Church. Arrangements by Zaagman Memorial Chapel, www.zaagman.com, 2800 Burton St., SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546. Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on August 9, 2009 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.