The Geurink Family History
Arent Jan Geurink Branch

Fourth Generation - Laverne Geurink

18. Laverne Gertrude Geurink (John3, Henry John2, Arent Jan1) was born Wausau, Wl November 5, 1929.

She married Kenneth Hettlnga in Forestville Reformed Church, Town of Easton, Wl, June 2, 1948.

*Evening Wedding in Forestville Church - text taken from Wausau newspaper: In a lovely evening candle-light ceremony in Forestville Reformed church, town of Easton, Tuesday at 7:30 o’clock. Miss La Verne Geurink, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Geurink, town of Easton, pledged nuptial vows with Kenneth Hettinga, son of the Peter Hettingas, of that town, before the Rev. T. A. Laman. Baskets of white and orchid lilacs banked the altar.

Henry Hettinga, brother of the groom, sang “0 Promise Me” and “Together Life’s Pathway We Tread”, accompanied at the organ by Mrs. Floyd Geurink. She played softly during the ceremony and as the 300 guests entered the church.

Attending the couple were Miss Evelyn Hettinga, Wausau, sister of the groom, as maid of honor; Glenn Geurink, town of Easton, brother of the bride, as best man, and Mr. and Mrs. John Van Vuren, town of Plover, brother-in-law and sister of the bride.

The bride wore an attractive white gown, designed with a lace bodice over satin and lace sleeved and peplum. The voluminous skirt was of net over satin and swept into a long train. Her full-length veil, lace-edged was held in place with a bugle bead coronet and she wore a rhinestone collar necklace, gift of the groom. Her bouquet was composed of red roses and white carnations showered with white satin streamers that were looped with rosebuds. Her father escorted her to the altar.

Her attendants were identically attired in floor-length gowns of orchid net over satin. They were styled with sweetheart necklines, bow bustles and hoop skirts that ended in a r&led train. Their headdresses were of braided net and held shoulder-length veils. Both wore necklaces, gifls of the bride, and carried sprays of assorted flowers tied with orchid ribbons.

The bride’s mother witnessed the wedding in a gray floral print complemented with gray accessories.

The mother of the groom was present in a black print Bemberg sheer dress accented with white accessories.

Following the ceremony, a reception was held at the WWER clubhouse in the town of Ringle. It was decorated with white and orchid streamers and white wedding bells. . . (Note: the clipping that was used ended here, but it is possible there was additional wording.)

Kenneth was born in Town of Easton, WI, at home October 30,1928. He is the son of Peter Hettinga and Arma TePaske.

• At 28 years of age Kenneth became the father of Brenda Hettinga Wausau, Wl, January 28, 1957.
• At 31 years of age Kenneth became the father of Brian Hettinga Wausau, Wl, April 6, 1960.
• At 35 years of age Kenneth became the father of Beth Hettinga Wausau, Wl, June 6, 1964.
• At 43 years of age Kenneth became the father of Brent Hettinga in Marinette, Wl, August 9, 1972.

• At 27 years of age Laveme became the mother of Brenda Hettinga Wausau, WI, January 28, 1957.
• At 30 years of age Laveme became the mother of Brian Hettinga Wausau, WI, April 6, 196O.
• At 34 years of age Laveme became the mother of Beth Hettinga Wausau, WI, June 6, 1964.
• At 42 years of age Laveme became the mother of Brent Hettinga in Marinette, WI, August 9, 1972.

Historical events during the life of Laverne Gertrude Geurink:

• Museum of Modem Art opens in NYC on November 8, 1929;
• world’s largest telescope dedicated on June 3, 1948;
• ctyotron invented on February 6, 1957;
• U-2 incident - Khruschev charges US with spying on May 5, 1960;
• a 1,780 lb tiger shark was caught off the coast of N. Carolina on June 14, 1964;
• the last ground troops pulled out of Vietnam on August 12, 1972.

Laverne Gertrude Geurink and Kenneth Hettinga had the following children:

• + 54 i. Brenda5 Hettinga was born January 28, 1957
• + 55 ii. Brian Hettinga was born April 6, 196O
• + 56 iii. Beth Hettinga was born Wausau, WI June 6, 1964. Beth died March 14, 1965 Madison, WI, at less than one year of age.

*Text taken from local newspaper: Funeral services for Beth Ellen Hettinga, 9-month-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Hettinga, Grand Rapids, Mich., who died in a Madison hospital Tuesday, will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday in Forestville Reformed Church in the Town of Easton. The Rev. Harry Vanderbilt will officiate and burial will be in the Forestville Cemetety in the spring. The body will be at Helke East Chapel after 3 p.m. Friday.

Beth was born June 6, 1964, in Wausau. Surviving besides her parents are a sister, Brenda and a brother, Brian, both at home; the paternal grandmother, Mrs. Peter Hettinga, Town of Ringle, and the maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. John Geurink, Town of Easton.

• + 57 iv. Brent Hettinga was born in Marinette, WI August 9, 1972.

He married Melissa Preston in Green Bay, WI, October 9, 1999. Melissa was born in Janesville, WI March 26, 197O.

-At the time of this printing Brent and Melissa are expecting their first child, due May 1, 2001.

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