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1931 - 2006
 Age: 74
DeHAAN, Clara E. “Dolly”
Paw Paw Street
Paw Paw
Clara Elizabeth DeHaan (Dolly) was born October 24, 1931 to Joseph and Josephine DeBoer. Clara being the youngest child acquired her nickname of “Dolly.” Dolly had a wonderful life living in the Kalamazoo and Paw Paw area. She met the love of her life Ed (Egbert Garrett DeHaan) with whom she raised 7 children until his death in 1998. Through those years of raising 7 children she worked at LaCantina Restaurant, the Paw Paw Public School System driving school bus for years, and finally working in the Kalamazoo Public Schools for many, many years doing what she loved to do most, cooking. She finally had to give up her desire to serve people (mostly children) when she was diagnosed with lung and bone cancer. She fought courageously, but lost on Friday evening Feb. 10, 2006 surrounded by her loving family who will miss her deeply. Her children and family are as follows: four daughters, Sharon (Michael) Hartman of Kalamazoo, Deborah Roden of Paw Paw, Kathleen (Randy) Williams of Fort Myers, FL, Cindy (Jose) Gutierrez of Jacksonville, FL; three sons, Tim (Sherry) DeHaan of Portage, Henry (Jan) DeHaan of Maui, Hawaii and Garrett DeHaan of Paw Paw; 19 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; sister, Mary Brinks of Bushnell, FL; 2 brothers, Benjamin DeBoer of Lawton and Gerald DeBoer of Kalamazoo. Dolly was preceded in death by her husband and a granddaughter Hanna Marie DeHaan and loving sisters and brothers. In lieu of flowers please direct any donations to Hospice of Van Buren County or the West Michigan Cancer Center, Kalamazoo. Thank you for your donations of food and the many prayer chains our mother was on. Every prayer helped her faith and every day we journeyed with her through her battle and felt privileged to have her with us. Today she is with the Lord, not just pain free but FREE. Please join us Wednesday 3 p.m. for the Celebration of her life and death at the Milwood Christian Reformed Church, 3306 Lovers Lane, Kalamazoo. Arrangements are by the Adams Funeral Home, Paw Paw. Share a memory or condolence on line at: www.timeformemory.com/Adams
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There are currently 6 condolences.
Marjorie Taylor
matkrp@hotmail.com
Friday February 17, 2006 at
12:41 PM
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Sorry to all in the family for the lose.
(Mary Brinks GrandDaughter)
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Laurel Sherburn
Lauda76@hotmail.com
Friday February 17, 2006 at
10:33 AM
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To Sharon, Mike and all the rest of the family. Clara and I go back many years when we drove school bus together. So many pleasant memories. Then there was the funny ones too. Like always trying to find a bathroom. At that time we did not have the lounge and bathroom facilities they have now. I can remember she sat on her bus one day until everyone left, as she didn't want anyone to see that she had had an accident. I laugh now but at the time it wasn't funny and I have it happen to me all the time. There was a bunch of us that always went to Gene Mitchells for lunch on payday. We always sat in the back room, but got told that it didn't look good for all those red School coats to be seen leaving the bar and come back to drive bus. We started leaving the coats in the cars.
I feel bad that when Clara left Paw Paw and moved on with her life that we didn't keep in touch more. She was and always will be a very special lady. May God Bless each of you, and give you Peace.
Clara is not gone, she lives on in each of you---God Bless---Laurel
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Hank DeHaan
MauiHawaii5388@wmconnect.com
Wednesday February 15, 2006 at
12:25 AM
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Dear Family,
What a honor and a privlege to have had the opportunity to be a part in caring for our lovely Mother.Lord, I pray for my family and friends that you continue to show your love though them.Thank you Lord for the time we had with Mom and my deepest thanks for a family who truely amazed me again.
Hank
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Susan (DeBoer) Houchins
susie48@localnet.com
Monday February 13, 2006 at
6:02 PM
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Dear family, May God bless and comfort you in the loss of your mother, my aunt. Even tho it has been many years since I have seen you all, my dad (Ben DeBoer) has kept me informed. My thoughts and prayers go out to you. Susan
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Rob and Sue DeBoer
rmd3411@aol.com
Monday February 13, 2006 at
10:05 AM
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Our condolence to all of you on the loss of your mother, a fine lady, my aunt and a person we will always remember. God Bless you all. Rob and Sue
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Joe & Jan Franzone
franzo6@aol.com
Sunday February 12, 2006 at
10:22 AM
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How can you put into words the love that you have for someone so close to your heart. I will greatly miss My Aunt Dolly, she has been like a second mother to me.She will always have a special place in my heart.God Bless All Of you. Love Joe & Jan
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