Lucille Tuinstra

Lucille Tuinstra had a spirited approach to life; an energy that drove her towards happiness no matter what her situation was. She was a loving and caring mother that derived endless joy from watching her family grow and succeed. Throughout her life, she was devoted to her loved ones and her faith. Her benevolence radiated and was reflected in those around her.

The year was 1908 and the United States was in motion. Farmers across the nation began to rely on machines to do their labor, and thousands of displaced workers left the farms to find work in the cities. The United States preferred isolation from the rest of the world, but would soon become embroiled in the horrors of the Great War. In the community of Kelloggsville, Michigan, life for Peter and Anna (Bishop) DeMann was also in transition. On October 2, 1908, they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Lucille, who was the fourth of eight DeMann children.

Lucille’s childhood was typical for the times. The primary mode of transportation then was horse and buggy and she walked to school each day through the neighboring fields until graduating from the eighth grade. As a child, Lucille often amused herself by playing with her dolls and once told the story of a time when she was accompanying her father on his delivery wagon and it almost tipped over. Her father pushed her off to safety, except she landed in the river and her doll floated away. Her brother Al also liked to experiment with her dolls while playing dentist and they usually came back missing a tooth or two.

Lucille’s family were members of a church in nearby Bradley, and this strong Christian upbringing would become an important part of Lucille’s life. As fate would have it, this was also where she met her future husband, Peter Tuinstra, whose family had moved from Chicago to the Martin area. Lucille thought Peter was quite a handsome man and began to get to know him while hanging out with the church youth groups. Over time their love for each other blossomed and they were married on February 15, 1928. Lucille had been raised on a farm and Peter had helped work on the DeMann farm also and both loved the country life. They made many of their homes in the country where they could have large gardens; which she enjoyed caring for along with her yard. Wherever they lived was always a special place to Lucille because it was home and it was where she lovingly raised her children – Harold, Dorothy, Larry and Arlene. She continued her commitment to her faith with the family becoming longtime members of East Martin Christian Reformed Church. She also participated with the ladies bible studies and was a member of the Esther Circle.

Lucille was a devoted mother and ran the house with a firm hand. She taught her children the importance of responsibility and working hard. She and Peter always knew when the children were cutting corners and in the end were sent back to do the work again. Living on a farm, Lucille never had to go grocery shopping, because everything they ate was grown in their garden. Peter would do the planting while the children were responsible for picking the fruits and vegetables. Lucille, in turn, would can and freeze much of the bounty in 400 to 500 cans each winter. Everything Lucille prepared was from scratch and some of the family’s favorite meals included fresh bread, peanut butter and peaches. After a hard days work picking beans and completing their daily chores, the children were often rewarded with a trip to Gun Lake. One of their favorite spots was Twin Shores because it sported a jukebox, ice cream stand and a high dive into the sandy-bottomed lake. Once, her children found some baby raccoons on the farm and Lucille helped to feed them. Even through the hard work, the Tuinstra house was filled with much happiness and laughter. How Lucille found the time and energy to do what she did is a testament to her commitment to her family.

The Tuinstra family worked to create a balance between work and play. Saturdays consisted of bathing the children and shopping while Sundays became the day for visiting relatives, which was especially nice in their first car – a 1929 Chevy Coupe. After Peter retired in 1962, he and Lucille began traveling more often usually accompanied by another couple. These travels took them to places like California, Mexico, Lake Tahoe and various sites out west. They enjoyed vacationing in Florida, one of their favorite spots, for over 20 years. However, home was where their hearts were. The family remembered how even after indoor plumbing was brought to the house, their parents kept the old outhouse and water pump out back for several years, perhaps still a little old fashioned. Family reunions were another wonderful event the family greatly looked forward to every year. A big Detroit Tiger’s fan, Lucille loved to listen to a game on the radio while doing her ironing in the kitchen. She also found great reverence in listening to old hymns.

Lucille and Peter had been happily married for 60 years when her beloved husband passed away in 1988. Throughout her life, Lucille had been strengthened by adversity and learned the most valuable lessons of life simply by living through them. Perhaps this contributed to her feisty disposition later in life. With a spring in her step and the love of her family in her heart, Lucille treasured every moment that life had to offer and was a natural source of love, comfort and hope for so many who knew and loved her.

Lucille Tuinstra, age 95 of Martin, died on Monday, June 14, 2004, at Borgess Medical Center. She was preceded in death by her husband, Peter Tuinstra in 1988, brothers: William, Allert, Arnold, Foster and Clarence DeMann, & sister Martha Sytsema. Members of Lucille’s family include her children: Harold & Florence Tuinstra, Dorothy & Robert Helmholdt, Larry & Phyllis Tuinstra all of Shelbyville, and Arlene & Ted Wustman of Cutlerville; sisters: Jeanette & John VanderMeulen and Cornelia & Jake Grevenstuk all of Martin; 21 grandchildren, 49 great-grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Learn more about Lucille, view her Life Story film and visit with her family on Wednesday, June 16, from 6-8 p.m. and Thursday, June 17, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Rupert, Durham, Marshall, & Gren Life Story Funeral Home, Plainwell Chapel. Life Story funeral services will be held on Friday, June 18, at 11 a.m. at the East Martin Christian Reformed Church with Pastor Jim Busscher officiating.Please visit Lucille’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can read her life story, archive a favorite memory, order flowers or make a memorial donation to East Martin Christian Elementary School.

A loving and caring mother and grandmother, Lucille Tuinstra lived by strong core values. She passed these values on to her family with a wonderful smile and a warm and giving heart.