Vivian Esther (Hartwig) TenBrink

Vivian TenBrink, born Vivian Esther Hartwig on March 5, 1921, in Hadley, Michigan, was the daughter of Ernest and Ruth (Jones) Hartwig, and went Home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 17, 2022 at Fountain View Retirement Village of Fremont.  Vivian taught school in a one room schoolhouse for several years in Lapeer County, Michigan before she was married to Adrian TenBrink on July 3, 1945, and he preceded her in death on September 17, 1996.  After marriage, she and Adrian were lifelong residents of Fremont, MI.  She had seven children:  Jean (Ed deceased) Knowlton of Alamogordo, NM., William (Susan) TenBrink of Fremont, MI., Ruth TenBrink (Steve Turner) of Labadie, MO., Cheryl (Ronald) Schultz of Alamogordo, NM., Gayle TenBrink (Alan Buckley) of Liberty Lake, WA., Wayne (Rene) TenBrink of Fremont, MI., and Jay (Gaye) TenBrink Goodrich, MI.  She had 12 grandchildren & 14 great-grandchildren.  Vivian was also preceded in death by 3 brothers:  Robert, Ralph, & Gene Hartwig; 1 sister, Adelma Sherman; and by 1 grandson, Chuck Knowlton.

Vivian and Adrian met during World War II when he was in the Army Air Force and while both were on a train in the Southwestern U.S., only discovering that they were both from Michigan, though from opposite sides of the State.  In later years, after the children had left home, they traveled extensively in the U.S., usually with their travel trailer.  Even when the children were still at home they took them on trips out West (sometimes using 2 vehicles to fit everyone in), instilling in them a love of travel and seeing new places.

Vivian loved to cook and bake.  Cookies were one of her favorite things to bake, and she had ready takers amongst her children, grandchildren, and friends.  She was active in her church and lived out her life of faith with generosity and kindness.  She will be sorely missed.

The Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, August 12, 2022 at Bethel Reformed Church in Fremont with Bill Johnson officiating.  Visitation will also be at church from 12-1 PM on Friday.  Interment will be at Maple Grove Cemetery in Fremont.  Suggested Memorial:  Fountain View Retirement Village of Fremont.  You can sign the online guest book at www.kroeze-wolffis.com.  Arrangements are by Kroeze-Wolffis Funeral Home, Inc. of Fremont.

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