Even more, she cherished the company of her family, of her seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, as well as nieces and nephews and cousins. Dick. The art and sculpture feature important works of contemporary and modern art. Check all background information that MyLife has gathered. Lena and Fred Meijer sit next to a statue of Fred at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Rest in peace, Mrs. Meijer, and I'm so glad you are with your husband once again. if memory serves. Once again, the local news media had nothing but positive and glowing I tried to make my garden look as good as hers, she said with a laugh. If you have won a prize from us we will be mailing it to you or will contact you with specific information needed to redeem your prize. Fred and Lena Meijer at a GVU Foundation event; they are recognized as Grand Stewards of the university. one of the individuals who helped establish Grand Valley and grow it Mrs. Meijer was the true epitome of a woman, wife and mother. Both both of your parents were exceptional people. Lena Meijer died last week at the age of 102. Always a pleasure to see her at the office, stores and events. Fred Meijer told News 8 in 2003 that he was initially nervous about dating someone from the store, so it was Lena who made the first move. She cherished memories of camel rides and hot-air balloon flights, golf tournaments and cycling trips. [6] His wife Lena died at Lena and Fred became involved in the Grand Rapids community through charitable efforts such as the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and Lena Meijer Childrens Garden at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park. Follow her on Twitter @clarajanehen. This means that the Meijer family business increased their wealth by $6.7 Billion, while Meijer workers couldnt afford health care or pay their rent, and while thousands of families in West Michigan were suffering during the COVID 19 pandemic. We're very honored to be able to say we were both employees of Meijer for many years. Lena was a woman of great kindness, compassion and generosity. She passed away on Saturday, at the age of 102. She then dedicated herself to their family. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. (MLive file photo). (Emily Zoladz | The Grand Rapids Press), A photo of Frederik and Lena Meijer was featured in the 2019 exhibit "A National Treasure: Fred Meijer, His Collection and Legacy" at Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park in Grand Rapids. Grand Rapids, MI. An MLive headline read, Lena Meijer remembered as caring, community advocate with a wonderful heart. In that article there are comments from the Meijer family attorney, the CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, the vice president of university relations at GVSU, and the following statement from the DeVos Family: Lena Meijer was a quiet force of nature in our community. If you need help with the Public File, call (313) 222-0566. It was already viewed Meijer was then offered a job by Hendrik Meijer at his Meijers Thrift Market in Greenville where she worked as a bookkeeper and cashier. The couple move to Grand Rapids in 1951 and Lena continued to work in the business until the birth in 1952 of the first of three sons. It has been just over a week now that Lena Meijer, the wife of Fred Meijer, passed away. Sorry for your loss. She was a friend and partner to our parents / grandparents, as she was to us, and a steadfast supporter of her husband, her family and all of West Michigan. of this special opportunity to study and learn while serving listeners The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. of their gift. Meijer was active in the Grand Rapids Public schools and also served in other civic roles, according to her obituary. Her husband, Fred, died in 2011 at 91 years old. Her husband Fred Meijer, the co-founder of Meijer stores, died 10 years ago. My condolences to this average like the rest of us family, what wonderful giving people they are. Newsfeed Now: Coroner expected to release autopsy, Newsfeed Now: Facebook whistleblower testifies before, Newsfeed Now: Biden back to the drawing board on, Newsfeed Now: Bodycam video shows Gabby Petito discussing, Newsfeed Now: Congress reaches deal to avoid government, Newsfeed Now: Gabby Petitos family urges Brian Laundrie, Newsfeed Now: GOP senators block government funding, Newsfeed Now: Federal warrant issued for Brian Laundrie, Newsfeed Now: Divers join search of Brian Laundrie, Newsfeed Now: Search for Brian Laundrie continues, Newsfeed Now: Students being warned against TikTok, Newsfeed Now: Authorities continue to search for, Newsfeed Now: Parents of teen accused in school massacre, Newsfeed Now: Pres. Lena passed on Saturday, Jan. 15. including the Frederik Meijer Opportunity Scholarship and the Frederik Your parents have left a great legacy and are now re-united in heaven. It was at the Meijer Thrift Market in Greenville she met her husband, Fred Meijer, who ran the store alongside his father. She truly meant it when she asked how our family was. Her love of gardens, including her own rose garden at their longtime home on the northeast side of Grand Rapids, helped inspire her and her husbands commitment to create the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids, announced her death on Twitter Saturday afternoon. The Foundation team has been instrumental in the capital campaigns for Spectrum Healths Renucci Hospitality House, Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center, Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion and Helen DeVos Childrens Hospital, as well as the creation and advancement of countless programs that impact patients, their families and Prayers for the family. Their marriage was often described as a true partnership. We had our mother save all the packages and empty cartons and we would set up a little grocery store in the corn crib, she said. They always left a "token" knick knack they picked up at a roadside swap meet. I was fortunate enough to have met Fred and Lena at store 50 in Cascade when I was closing the deli. I was a cashier that started at the Norton Shores store. Click here to take a moment and familiarize yourself with our Community Guidelines. Meijer First Generation Honors College Scholarship. Lena and her husband, Frederik (Fred), were passionate about Meijer is one of My Favorite Hangouts:)God BlessXO. They Lenas impact is felt through a wide range of programs and projects Join Local 4 News, First at 4 with Karen Drew and Kim Adams, streaming live on Local 4+, Dave Bartkowiak Jr., Digital Managing Editor. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. You were truly blessed to have such a wonderful person to be your mother. Spectrum Health is very proud and grateful to have her name on the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center as a tribute to a great and gracious lady.. A very blessed lady that we proud to have known in my years with Meijer. Grand Rapids, MI, is where Lena Meijer lives today. One of Lena Meijers biggest legacies may be Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park. MyLife aggregates publicly available information from government, social, and other sources, plus personal reviews written by others. Shes not that bashful at home. So sorry for your loss. WebMeijer was a local barber who entered the grocery business during the Great Depression. GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) An icon of the Meijer retail store brand has died. Celebrating The Life Of She was also an enthusiastic partner of her husband as the Meijer retail business grew, attending store openings and team member awards dinners, taking Sunday drives to visit stores and making lifelong friends at food industry conferences. Contact her at [email protected] or 313-296-5743. Our deepest sympathy to Hank, Doug, Mark and their families. Later in life, your folks made sure to visit my folks several times a year. The Meijers She and Fred delighted in welcoming visitors to the Gardens, including and especially children to her namesake Childrens Garden. to see possible family members, friends, co-workers, and associates found from multiple government records, social and public sources. 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Lena Meijer, the wife of the late grocery chain co-founder Frederik Meijer, died Saturday. She was 7 years old and she had her plans made, her husband joked. To plant trees in memory, please visit the. Photo taken on Thursday, Jan. 31, 2019. to see possibly who they are and full class lists found from school records and public sources. She's photographed here on Feb. 9, 2005 in front of "The Kiss" by Auguste Rodin at Frederick Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids, Mich. (AP Photo/Adam Bird), Fred and Lena Meijer takes a tour of the Michigan Farm Garden at Federik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park in 2003. She is remembered as a loving wife, mother, Family members wish to thank all those who helped with Lena's care in the home, with her transportation and with other assistance. Despite being among the richest people in the country, the Meijers lived modestly and gave generously to countless organizations and projects in the community, including the renovated Grand Rapids Civic Theatre in 2006. Generations of students have taken advantage We know that Lena is married at this point. GOD Bless you all. Meijer then enrolled in Central Michigan University to become a teacher, but due to the Great Depression, chose to work at a local bank instead. She was 102. Lena is alive and kicking and is currently 47 years old. There, as at Meijer, her affection for the dedicated volunteers and coworkers was always evident. God bless you all. What an amazing legacy she (they) left behind. She and Fred delighted in welcoming visitors to the Gardens, including and especially children to her namesake Childrens Garden. Lena also answers to Lena E Meijer, Lena Elizabeth Meijer and Lena E S Meijer, and perhaps a couple of other names. I took care of them and told them to have a great night and he told me he was so thankful for doing that for them. She's photographed here on Feb. 9, 2005 in front of Then, one day, she got an unexpected phone call from Hendrik Meijer, who said some of the workers at his store knew Lena and had suggested he hire her. From the couples first trip to Europeand her first airplane ridein 1950 to worldwide travel in their later years, Lena found herself embarked on adventures she could not have imagined as a child attending a one-room schoolhouse in central Michigan. My Husband Lee was their Mailman when they lived on Meadowfield. In the natural world, she developed a special fondness for penguins, amassing a collection of penguin-related items in all shapes and sizes. She worked at the store for four years before meeting her husband, Fred Meijer, whom she married in 1946. Enter the Childrens Garden through the three-foot-tall mouse hole entrance and get ready to have all five senses stimulated. Lena Meijer, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, spouse and partner of the late retailing entrepreneur Fred Meijer, died January 15, 2022 at the age of 102. They moved to Grand Rapids in 1951, and she worked in the business until her eldest son, Hank, was born in 1952. Your mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother chatted with me the entire time. Always there. It has been just over a week now that Lena Meijer, the wife of Fred Meijer, passed away. He called her "the warmestgrandmother a grandson could ask for" and said that his family "will forever cherish the memories and legacy she created with Grandpa Fred.". We smile as we think of Lenas love of flowers and how the Meijer Gardens shares that passion with so many others. community leader, Campus community mourns death of Bea Idema. Her involvement with the business continued until the birth We helped with the haying.. We carried a bag of potatoes on our shoulders and it in the planters. We are sadden by the news of your lovely mom passing. below. People like her and the Meijer family are rare indeed. The Meijers generously supported the For many years she decorated the German Christmas tree as a volunteer at the Gardens. They have done a lot of good for the people of the U.P. with their generous gift for the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Your mother was the perfect compliment to your father and on the many occasions I had the chance to talk with them it was evident they loved your families as well as the Business. I never met the Meijer's , but remember them behind my lane. Meijer loved gardens, which "helped inspire her and her husbands commitment to create the Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park," according to her memorial website. Feel free to call us with questions during weekday business hours at (517) 279-1590. Lena Meijer, the wife of the late grocery chain co-founder Frederik Meijer, died Saturday.
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