Cover photo for Helen M. (Kline)  VanHoeve's Obituary
Helen M. (Kline)  VanHoeve Profile Photo
1940 Helen 2022

Helen M. (Kline) VanHoeve

April 16, 1940 — October 2, 2022

Portage

Helen M. VanHoeve, age 82, died at home under hospice care on October 2, 2022.

She was born on April 16, 1940, in Battle Creek, the daughter of Gaylord and Catherine (Klein) Kline. Helen was a 1958 graduate of Climax-Scotts High School. She then attended and graduated from Gale Institute in Minneapolis where she trained in Airline Reservations and Ticketing.

While working at Shakespeare Company in Kalamazoo, she met Charles VanHoeve. They were married on January 20, 1962 and enjoyed 60 wonderful years together.   Family and friends were the center of her world.  She was an extraordinary mom and devoted wife.  She immersed herself in her children’s world as a boy and girl scout leader, softball mom and PTO member.  She rarely missed a celebration, sporting or school event that her children, grandchildren or even great grandchildren participated in.  She was an avid reader and passed her love of reading to her children and grandchildren.  Helen had retired from Consumers Energy after 20 years as a cashier and in customer service, working in both Kalamazoo and Lansing.  She forged many lifelong friendships and solved many of life’s problems while riding in the Van with her coworkers on her daily commute to and from Kalamazoo and Lansing.   When you became her friend then you were a friend for life.  She was devoted to her friendship.  She took care of anyone in her life and was always willing to help.  Chuck and Helen traveled many miles in their truck and travel trailer.  Spending many happy days at Consumers’ Hardy Dam Campground.  Upon retirement they purchased a motor home and traveled the U.S.  Finally finding their winter home at Recreation Plantation in Lady Lake FL.  She was a joiner and loved to organize.  She joined the Ladies Auxiliary at the largest American Legion Post in the country, Post #0347 in Lady Lake. Helen was a member of the Red Hat Society.  She also enjoyed shopping, bowling, visiting the Casinos with friends and organizing events at Recreation Plantation.

Helen is survived by her husband, Chuck; her children: Tim VanHoeve, Theresa (Ed) Hambright, and Lisa (Brad) Gibbs; her grandchildren: Travis Gibbs (Brittany VanOstran), Brandon (Chelsea) Hambright, Jared (Chrissy) Hambright, Charlize Gibbs, Carly VanHoeve, and Chase VanHoeve; her great-grandchildren: Brooklyn, Quinn, Arya, Colton, Norah, Talon, and Genevieve; her brother Fred Kline and several nieces and nephews.

A private burial will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery. Memorials in Helen’s memory may be directed to Centrica Care Navigators (formerly Hospice of SW Michigan). Please visit Helen’s memory page to sign her guestbook or share a memory at www.langelands.com

To order memorial trees in memory of Helen M. (Kline) VanHoeve, please visit our tree store.

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