I was lucky to have known my grandparents. We had many Sunday afternoon meals with both sets of grandparents.
Herm Buning was born February 2nd, 1898 and died April 22, 1987 Herm was born in Michigan and both of his parents were from the Netherlands. Herm was the fourth of eight children. Herm’s first job was as a carpenter’s apprentice. He was soon out of work for awhile because of the depression. He later worked as a carpenter/ maintenance worker at Kelvinator Appliance where he retired. If you have carpenter or painting skills you probably inherited it from him.
Teresa Buning (Alkema) was born December 5, 1901 and died February 16, 1986. Teresa was born in Michigan and both of her parents were from the Netherlands. Teresa was the sixth oldest of seven children. Her mother died when she was 6 years old. A neighbor, the Bazuin’s raised her after her mom died. The Bazuin’s had twin boys named Clayton and Leonard. Teresa was old for her age when she got married at 27. She worked at Baxter Laundry until she got married then did not work anymore.
Gerritt DeVries was born July 25, 1906 and died June 30, 1982. Gerritt was born in Holland, Michigan and both of his parents were from the Netherlands. Gerritt was the only child from poor parents. He got a bachelor degree from Calvin College and a master’s degree from Northwestern University. His first job was at Chicago Christian High School where he taught Chemistry and Math. He then went to Muskegon Christian for two years as a principal. Then to Kalamazoo Christian where he was a principal for six years and lastly opened South Christian High School and was their first principal and stayed for six years. Gerritt semi-retired at Dordt College in Iowa as dorm parents and later retired for good in Holland, Michigan.
Jennie DeVries (Hulst) was born May 8, 1905 and died August 9, 1988. Jennie was born in Holland, Michigan and both of her parents were also born in Holland, Michigan. She was the fourth child in a family of ten. She was the second oldest girl. She had seven sisters and two brothers. Her parents were wealthy and owned a general store first in Bentheim, Michigan then later Holland, Michigan. After high school she attended a business college then later worked as a secretary at Holland Furnace doing odds and ends. My daughter Jennie is named after her.
