Marian (Boerman) Rottman

Marian Rottman passed to her eternal home on Friday, June 29 at the age of 93 at her residence at Green Acres of Fremont, surrounded by family. She was born January 31, 1925 in Muskegon, Michigan to George and Ruth (Moulder) Boerman and grew up on a farm in Fremont with her parents and four siblings. She attended Butler School and graduated from Fremont High School.

Marian was happiest when she was on the go. She was an active member of the First Christian Reformed Church of Fremont, and she worked at Fremont Christian School for many years as secretary and librarian. She was an accomplished baker (especially of family birthday cakes), gardener, knitter, crafter of all sorts, and seamstress; she created many wedding dresses and other clothing for friends, family, and others. She made quilts for each of her grandchildren. She spent countless hours volunteering for church, schools, and the community as a Sunday school teacher, craft lady at church camp, Helping Hand leader, 4-H leader, and Red Cross volunteer.

Marian was a friend to many--her new friends from Green Acres, her “monthly class coffee” friends from the FHS class of 1942, church friends, and scores of friends in between from wherever else she went. She loved all children. Family always came first: kids, grandkids, great-grandkids, siblings, cousins, and anyone who could possibly be counted as extended family.

On April 6, 1944 she married Harold F. Rottman. They were married for 59 years--50 spent living on their beloved hobby farm. They enjoyed traveling around the United States and beyond in their retirement years. Harold preceded her in death on August 31, 2003.

Marian leaves behind many family members, who miss her dearly but are thankful for her long life. She is survived by three children, whom she taught to trust in God, help others, work hard, and value loyalty and dependability: Beth (Don) Reinders of Grand Rapids, Phil (Chris) Rottman of Fremont, and Jane (Dean) VanOstenberg of Fremont.

She had nine grandchildren, to whom she modeled faith, laughter, creativity, delight in beauty, compassion, and love of family: Sara Reinders, Laura (Jeff) Stormo, Joel (Sonya) Rottman, Jeff (Gretchen) Rottman, Mary (Trevor) Zuidema, Mike VanOstenberg, Doug (Jaye) VanOstenberg, Julie Rottman, JP (Mary Jo) VanOstenberg

She had 15 great-grandchildren, for whom she provided many hugs and a heaping candy dish and kept toys and puzzles under the couch: Simone, Xander, and Blake Zuidema; Elem, Maris, and Amos Rottman; Hudson, Finnley, and Essox VanOstenberg; Soren and Anders Stormo; Cody and Jasper Reaume; Sebastian Rottman; and Harper Hughes.

She loved to spend time with her sisters and brother, sharing stories and memories and rocking with laughter. Her siblings are Helen (the late Howard) Swinehart, Doris (Matt) Okkema, Marg (the late Terry) VanKoevering, and Ken (Sharon) Boerman.

She cherished Harold’s siblings: Arnie (Jane Ann) Rottman and the late Ken Rottman (Esther Hill).

She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, whom she loved dearly.

Marian was preceded in death by her sister-in-law, Mary Boerman.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, July 2, 2018 at First Christian Reformed Church in Fremont with Rev. Drew Sweetman officiating. Visitation will be at Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home from 2-4 PM on Sunday, and at the church from 10-11 AM on Monday. Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Fremont. Suggested Memorial:  Fremont Christian School, or a charity of your choice.  You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com. Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.

What no eye has seen,

  what no ear has heard,

and what no human mind has conceived—

  the things God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9

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