Barbara Ann LaHaie

1938 - 2020

Barbara Ann LaHaie, age 82, went to be with Jesus on December 14, 2020. She was born on August 18, 1938 in Ferndale, Michigan and adopted as a baby by her beloved parents, Harold and Myrtle White. She grew up on a small farm in Cheboygan, Michigan, where she developed a love for animals. She married her sweetheart, David LaHaie, on June 14, 1958 and the two spent sixty-two years together, raising their five children. Barbara was a generous volunteer throughout her life, always active in her church sharing the love of Jesus through leading Bible study. David and Barbara spent many years ministering in nursing homes in Cheboygan and continued to do so upon moving to Holland, MI in 1997.
Barbara played piano and David played his guitar and together they sang old hymns as well as fun folk
songs to the residents, bringing joy to each one. Barbara was also well known for her rooster call, which
the residents absolutely loved. She gave of her time as a receptionist at the Holland Rescue Mission
and in the daycare at the then newly built Women's Center. Together, David and Barbara, also
volunteered for many years at the Day Center of Evergreen Commons. Barbara was a faithful attender
of Ridge Point Community Church and served as a table leader for MOPS. She loved the word of God
and shared it with many. To know Barbara was to see Jesus. She exuded joy in everything she did. She
was full of Godly wisdom, patience for the disheartened, compassion for others beyond measure and
left a Godly example of a strong Christian marriage to her children.
She is survived by her husband David of Holland, MI and their five children, daughter Brenda and
husband Dick Bouman of Holland, MI son Perry and wife Teresa LaHaie of Holland, MI, son Darren
LaHaie of Holland MI, son Daniel and wife Jennifer LaHaie of North Canton, OH, and son Nathaniel and
wife Miranda LaHaie of Shawnee, KS, thirteen grandchildren, Ben (Sarah) Bouman, Luke (Kristin)
Bouman, Phil (Lexee) Bouman, Andrew (Carly) Bouman, Rachel (Matt) Distelrath, Kali LaHaie, Taylor
(Bri) LaHaie, Harrison, Tate, and Teagan LaHaie, and Vivienne, Evelyn and River LaHaie, and six great
grand-children, Gavin and Nora Bouman, Simon and Ada Bouman, and Sadie and Cecelia Barbara
Distelrath. She is also survived by her best friend and sister-in-law Helen LaHaie of Cheboygan, MI,
whom she met at the age of seven, and her dear brother Loren (Kathy) Dowel of Phoenix, AZ. A private family service will be 1 pm Monday, December 28. To view via livestream, go to https://ridgepointff.org/ and click, watch live, to watch the service. Her family is tentatively planning a larger celebration of life gathering on her birthday in August 2021.
Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland or Holland Rescue Mission Family Hope Ministry.
Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Home-Mulder Chapel. For an online registry, visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com.