Suzanne TenHoeve

1935 - 2023

Suzanne Underwood TenHoeve of Holland, Mich., passed away on Feb. 13, 2023.
Suzanne Underwood TenHoeve was born Sept. 5, 1935, at St. Mary's Hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., to Rhea and James Underwood.
She attended Dickinson Elementary School, Burton Junior High, and South High School. While there, she and friends established a noon hour Bible club. As a youth, she attended Griggs Street E.U.B. Church, where she sang in youth choir and was active in many church programs.
Sue chose to go to Hope College in 1953, where she met her future husband, Thomas TenHoeve Jr. in the dining hall her first week on campus. While at college, Sue held leadership positions at the YWCA, Sibylline Society, and student government, and had graduated with highest honors and majored in English.
On June 7, 1957, she and Tom were married at her church. Sue then began her teaching career at South Haven High School in Michigan. After one year, Tom who also taught there, was offered a position teaching biology at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. Sue then taught English at high school in Alton, Iowa, along with one course at the college. At the high school, she also directed plays and supervised the school newspaper. During their first two years in Orange City, Sue and Tom also were men's dormitory house parents.
In 1960, Sue had her first child, Thomas III. Her daughter, Carol, was born in late 1961. In 1963, Sue and Tom moved to Toledo, Ohio, where Tom then completed his Ph.D. at the university and Sue took graduate courses. While there, in 1964, their son, Timothy was born. In 1965, they moved back to Orange City, where Sue was active in community and church affairs, while teaching part time at two high schools, and Tom was the academic dean of the college.
After moving to Butler in 1970, where Tom was president of the community college, Sue spearheaded very successful United Way campaigns, was YW president, became chairperson of the church council, headed a large Pennsylvania disabled citizens organization, drove for Meals on Wheels, and often was school room mother. In 1984, Sue and Tom moved to Des Plaines, Ill. While there, Sue was a Lutheran church secretary, and annually coordinated a picnic and baked brownies for 2200 Oakton College employees, where Tom was the president.
Sue and Tom retired to Holland, Mich., in 1995. Sue sang in the Third Reformed Church choir for many years, led numerous women's ministry projects, served on the prayer team, was a care elder and vice president of consistory. For 18 years, she served as a volunteer Tulip Time Trolley Guide.
She is survived by her husband, Tom; three children, Tom III, Carol (Bill) Winter and Tim (Sarah); six grandchildren, Carissa (Brian) Speelman, Cailyn TenHoeve, Samantha Winter, Luke Winter, and Thomas R., Tyler and Jack TenHoeve; and two great- grandchildren, Adeline and Owen Speelman. She had one grandchild, Jacob Winter, who is deceased.
TENHOEVE - There will be a memorial worship service in honor of Suzanne TenHoeve, who died Monday, Feb. 13, 2023, to be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Third Reformed Church, 111 W. 13th St., Holland, Mich. followed by fellowship and food.
Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Arrangements are by LANGELAND-STERENBERG FUNERAL HOME in Holland, Mich.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Third Reformed Church Women's Ministries, or the South High Scholarship at the Grand Rapids Community College Foundation.
Condolences may be left online at www.langelandsterenberg.com.