Gerry Bangen

Gerry(Gerritje) Bangen, 92, went to be with her Lord and Savior Christmas morning, December 25, 2022. She experienced the best Christmas present ever!

Gerry was born March 5, 1930, in Zeist , the Netherlands, to Gerrit and Dirkje (VanGrondelle) Stolker.

On February 11, 1954, Gerry married the love of her life, Ben Bangen. They were united in a double wedding at her parents home with her sister and Ben’s best friend, Cory and Gerrit Feyer.  In October 1955, Gerry, Ben and their daughter Alice immigrated to the United States, settling in Sheboygan.  

Gerry was a Welcome Wagon Hostess for the southside of Sheboygan for 8 years.  In addition, she cleaned homes for clients who also became close friends. Her most important and favorite job was being a wife, mother, and homemaker.

Gerry was a faithful member of Christ Community Church, formerly First Christian Reformed Church, serving as Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Calvinettes, and Friendship Club teacher. She also was a member of the Eunice Bible Society, church choir, and Golden Agers.

Gerry was a very active volunteer. She was a 25 year member of the YMCA’s service club, the Y’s Menettes. She was a Sheboygan Christian School Auxiliary member, a volunteer at the Good as New store in Cedar Grove and the Corner Store in Pine Haven. She also served as a Meals on Wheels volunteer for 30 years.

Gerry loved flowers and gardening. She was a member of the Lakeshore Garden Club for 30 years, working many hours at Maywood, decorating for Christmas at the Sheboygan Historical Museum, and serving on numerous other garden projects.

Following her husband’s retirement, Gerry and Ben enjoyed visiting their children and grandchildren. They loved spending winters in Boynton Beach, Florida. Gerry and Ben were very active members at the Lake Worth Christian Reformed Church and with the Four Seasons Condominium Association. Gerry and Ben also loved to take European trips to visit family and friends.

Gerry enjoyed traveling, reading, writing cards, swimming laps at the YMCA, and spending time with her grandchildren.

She is survived by her children, Alice (Doug) Sikkema, Marian (Garry) De Wit, Joel (Alice) Bangen, and Karen (Karl) Klotzbuecher, 11 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way, two brothers and two sisters in the Netherlands, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, Gerry was preceded in death by her husband in 2004, 3 brothers, 5 sisters, and 6 brother/sister in laws. 

Gerry will always be remembered for her love of the Lord and her family. She was an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. She was the hands and feet of Jesus and a wonderful role model of a life dedicated to living for the Lord. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Christ Community Church. Visitation at the church will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., with the funeral service at Noon.

A memorial for Sheboygan Christian School and Christ Community Church has been designated in Gerry Bangen’s name. 

Special thanks to all the nurses and CNA’s past and present from Pine Haven that were special to our mom.