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Donald George Housenga was born December 30, 1939 in Fulton Il. Don died following a courageous 2 ½ year fight against cancer on June 1, 2011 at Ely Bloomenson Hospital with his family beside him. He was the 4th child of John and Tena Housenga Selles. The family moved to Holland, Michigan when Don was 6 years old. He graduated from Holland High School in 1957 and enjoyed saying the class motto "Best on Earth, Best in Heaven, We're the Class of '57".
Following graduation, he was employed as a furniture finisher for Baker Furniture Company in Holland. He was also self-employed as an interior finisher before working in the maintenance department at Hope College for 25 years as the head painter. During that time he employed many students in the summer on his paint crews. Wonderful relationships were formed during these years at Hope College where he and his wife Pauly also served as residence hall directors at Dykstra Hall.
In 1964 he married Pauline (Pauly) Peil Housenga of Tower, MN. who he met as his next door neighbor while she was a student at Hope living with her sister's family in Holland. Don and Pauly retired to their Lake Vermilion MN cabin in 2005.
He loved fishing, doing remodeling projects, and helping friends and family with their projects. Don was a former member of the Maplewood Reformed Church of Holland, MI where he was ordained as a deacon and elder. He is currently a member of the St. James Presbyterian Church of Tower, MN, serving as an ordained elder. He was a member of the St. James Choir and the Lake Vermilion Community Choir in Tower. He assisted with the building of two Habitat Houses in Tower. Don was a member of the Greenwood Township Seniors serving as coordinator of their activities and the Lake Vermilion Sportsmen's Club where he was an Invasive Species Volunteer Inspector. He was a member of the Tower Soudan Historic Society and volunteered on restoring the train and painting the depot.
Don is survived by wife:"Pauly"; his daughters Laurel (Steve) Grose of Holland, Heather (Jason) Walker of Minneapolis and son John (Michelle) Housenga of Minneapolis. Six grandsons Collin, Tyler and Evan Grose, Aaron and Kyle Walker, and Thijs Housenga. His sisters Ann (Frank) Aukeman, and Vi (Warren) Drooger, brother Richard (Sherrie) Housenga, sister-in-law Carol Peil and brother-in-law Rev. Wm (Judy) Burd and many nieces nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents John and Tena Housenga-Selles, step father: Bill Selles, his in-laws John and Mintie Peil of Tower, his sister Milldred Gettemy of Dixon Il, his brother-in-laws Raymond and Richard Peil, William Strating and Sister in law Gerri Peil Burd.
His nephew referred to him as a "gentle giant" exhibiting compassion, kindness, gentleness, humility and patience as stated in Colossians 3:12.
A Gathering time for Family and Friends will be held Saturday, June 4, 2011 from 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. Memorial Service at the St. James Presbyterian Church in Tower. Pastor Bill Evans will officiate. Inurnment will be in the Lakeview Cemetery in Tower.
A Memorial Service will also be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 12, 2011 at Maplewood Reformed Church in Holland, Michigan. Reverend Keith Derrick will officiate with Carol Myers as liturgist.
Memorials may be directed to St. James Presbyterian Church, Tower Soudan Historic Society, Lake Vermilion Sportsmen's Club, Maplewood Reformed Church Memorial Fund, the American Cancer Society, or a charity of the donor's choice.
Family Services provided by Bauman-Vermilion, A Bauman Family Funeral Home in Tower. To share personal condolences online, please see:www.baumanfuneralhome.com .

Facts

Born: December 30, 1939
Place of Birth: Fulton, IL
Death: June 1, 2011
Place of Death: Ely, MN
Occupation: The Head Painter for Hope College
Hobbies: Fishing, remodeling project, and helping friends and family
Organizations: St. James Presbyterian Church - Tower, Lake Vermlion Sportsmen's Club, Habitat for Humanity, Lake Vermilion Community Choir

Services Gathering Time for Family & Friends

Saturday June 4, 2011 , 10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at St. James Presbyterian Church

Saturday June 4, 2011 , 11 a.m. at St. James Presbyterian Church

Sunday June 12, 2011 , 1 p.m. at Maplewood Reformed Church