Dorothy Hunefeld 1928 - 2011
98 views · Published 9 January 2012 · 1:41 · Indexed 4 October 2026
Channel: W. Terry Hunefeld · 2012 · Travel & Events
HUNEFELD (nee Kooiman) Dorothy (Dieuwrtje) Hunefeld, a strong and talented woman whose mien and comportment commanded attention, died Wednesday, April 20, 2011 in the home and company of her daughter Sari Deters and family in Portage MI. She is survived by her husband, Ralph Busse of Grand Rapids as well as siblings, children, and grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, William J. Hunefeld, Dorothy was an integral partner in the Avon Park Motel and Rainbow Travel Agency which they built together. Mr. and Mrs. Hunefeld traveled extensively after opening the agency and Dorothy ventured to Africa twice on photo safaris. She developed a talent for photography and her images of flora and fauna won local competitions. Dorothy became a WSI instructor offering lessons in "the shark free swimming" pool made famous by the motel's free standing sign on 28th St. at East Paris Ave. as well as earning her LPN while raising five children. She successfully competed in the Senior Olympics and continued waterskiing on the Thornapple River well into her sixties. An avid zest for life marked her enthusiasm for encouraging her children and grandchildren to appreciate the world around them. An active member of East Paris Christian Reformed Church and later Sunshine Community Church, Dorothy spent some years in the Alzeheimer's unit at Holland Home Raybrook Manor before moving to Sari's home for attentive and loving care during these last months. Dorothy married Ralph Busse in December 1998 and they enjoyed many active years. Ralph has remained a constant companion throughout her declining time. Her family of origin included eight children born to Dutch immigrant bulb growers on Plainfield Avenue. The ancestral home remains in the family occupied by her sister Francina and husband Ray Roberts. Her sister Rosa Barnhart and brother Dirk Kooiman remain as well as her children, William Terry Hunefeld (Ann Dunham), Jerry Hunefeld (Pam Wirth), Barry Hunefeld (Joanne), Sari Deters (Jim), and Kari Buis along with their children; ten grandchildren in all.
