Sunday, Sept. 10, 2023, at age 94, Marvin G. Lanser of Holland, MI, stepped peacefully into his eternal home where he was met by his Savior and Lord, as well as a multitude of loved ones - parents, siblings and their spouses, and one very precious grandson Robert Welling.
All he had lived for is now reality! His funeral was Sept. 16.
Marvin “Marv” was an amazing man, husband, father, and grandfather. He had a genuine love for the Lord and was a man of integrity through and through. He was always happy to see his grandchildren and went out of his way to be welcoming and show them love. He had a grateful heart and expressed it by being a living example in life and his marriage of 72 years with his wife Ruth, which they just celebrated.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Ruth Lanser, his high school sweetheart; his children Cheryl and David Koeman, Jere Lanser, Mary and Tom Welling, and Steven Lanser; his nine grandchildren; and his 16 great-grandchildren.
He was born Oct. 12, 1928, in rural Sully to Johannes “John” and Elizabeth (Bruxvoort) Lanser. He was the 11th of 13 children (Number 13 died as an infant). His mother died when Marv was nine years old - he would still get teary missing her. Mostly raised by older sisters and a godly father, he was mischievous and happy working on the farm. He attended Pella Christian Schools where he met Ruth Vroon. They dated for six years before getting married on Aug. 3, 1951, while Marv was in the Army. When he was discharged, they soon moved to Holland, MI, where he attended and graduated from Hope College. In 1953, 1955, 1960, and 1961, Cheryl, Jere, Mary, and Steve completed their family. While loving Ruth and raising a family, Marv worked multiple jobs, a full-time international travel agent and part-time side jobs cleaning offices (often times late into the night), to provide a Christian education for his children.
Marv was a man of few words but strong convictions and unswerving faith and love for God, family, and the church. He was almost always on some church council as either an elder or deacon. He loved God and loved people - a man of integrity; he truly walked his faith and love! He is greatly missed because of who he was.
His dying wish was that ALL of his family and friends will join him in Heaven’s glory with his Savior and Lord!
