JAMESTOWN, Mich. — Egbert Beenen went to his heavenly home on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, at the age of 82.
He was born July 1, 1938, to Gerrit and Johanna Beenen in Gramsbergen, the Netherlands. He married Deeny Rougoor, the love of his life, on March 11, 1960. Their wedding text was Exodus 33:15: “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from this place.” In that spirit of faith, they immigrated to Vermont, where together they operated a dairy farm until his retirement, after which they moved to Michigan.
Egbert loved Jesus as his Savior and Lord and served God in various ways as he raised his family, helped establish and build a new church, and spent multiple terms as both elder and deacon. He helped establish the local Christian school. He also loved carving wood and constructing new things, mowing his lawn, travelling, camping, learning about God’s creation, and meeting all his new great-grandchildren.
He is survived by Deeny Beenen, his loving wife of 60 years, and his children Jeanette and Warren Van Wyck of Ferrisburgh, Vt.; Joann and Sjabbo Verburg of West Ferrisburgh, Vt.; Brenda and Rick Vanderwal of DeMotte, Ind.; Betty and Case Verburg of Caledonia, Mich; Richard and Sara Beenen of Jamestown, Mich; and Jeffrey and Tabitha Beenen of Becker, Minn. He also leaves behind a legacy of love and faith in Christ to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Joel and Criss Van Wyck (Sophia), Isaac and Morgan Van Wyck (Charlee, Hudson), Aaron and Sarah Van Wyck, Eric Van Wyck, Kathleen and Brian Van de Weert (Shepard), Stephen Van Wyck, James and Katie Verburg, Maria and Ben Gesink (Gerrit, Joanna, Katherine), Ethan and Barb Verburg (Evelyn, Oscar), David and Sarah Verburg (Henry, Theodore), Victoria Verburg, Troy Verburg, Robert Verburg, Geneva Verburg, Kristina and John Buzeman (Allyson, Alexander, Ava), Nathan and Anna Vanderwal (Audrey), Alyssa and Brigman Rees (Madelynn and baby R), Hannah and Alex Kurtz (Elliana and Baby K), Reuben Verburg, Avery Verburg, Seth Verburg, Lynnea Verburg, and Elisabeth and Chris Bouma (Emily, Owen).
He is also survived by his siblings and their spouses: Joanne and Doug VanderVelde; Swanee and Ray Visser; Jeri and Jim Kett; and Tina and Dennis Persenaire; and his siblings-in-law Fenny Beenen, Albert and Mieke Rougoor, and Roelie Meijering. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law Sander Verburg, his brother and sister-in-law John and Ava Beenen, and his brothers-in-law Egbert Beenen and Roelof Meijering.
A celebration of Egbert’s life and faith will take place at Forest Grove Christian Reformed Church at 3:30 p.m. Memorial contributions can be made to the Pregnancy Resource Center (Middlebury, Vt.) or Bethany Christian Services.◊