Marlene Claire Boven

Marlene Claire Boven passed from this life into the arms of her Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 13, 2024. She was 74. Marlene was born August 14, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, the fifth and youngest child of Clarence and Martha DeVries. Marlene married Doug Boven on December 5, 1969, and they were married for 51 years. They farmed for over 40 years, first for Doug’s father, then bought Maple Grove Farm in Falmouth from Doug’s great-grandfather where they lived and raised their family until retiring to Cadillac in 2011. After staying home with her children when they were young, Marlene worked as the school librarian for 20 years at Northern Michigan Christian School in McBain. She was an avid reader and loved reading to her own children as well as to the students at school. One of Marlene’s greatest joys was reading to her grandchildren while they sat on her lap. Marlene was creative and artistic and always noticed the beauty in details, especially in nature, and never passed up a good rock to bring home. She was an exceptional gardener and coaxed Doug into helping her expand her flower gardens every summer which started from transplants from her own father’s garden. These same flowers have now made their way to North Carolina and Alaska in her children’s gardens. Marlene’s greatest source of strength and comfort came from God, and she was an active member of Cadillac Christian Reformed Church. She served as church librarian and deacon and also helped create the church’s community garden. Marlene was preceded in death by her husband Doug; her parents Clarence and Martha DeVries; brothers Robert and Carl De Vries, parents-in-law, Tony and Gertrude Boven; and brother-in-law, Richard Kornoelje She is survived by her children and grandchildren Tonya and Craig McLeod (Logan, Layne, Ian, and Piper), Lisa and Adam Bultman (Nathan, Owen, and Penelope), Eric Boven and Nicole Jacobs-Boven (Isabel), and Beth and Adam Commissaris (Zachariah and Zoe); her sisters Eva Kornoelja, Linda (Paul) Stadt; her siblings-in-law Bruce (Mary) Boven, Chris (Mary) Boven, Linda (Scott) Peterson, Phyllis (Carl) DeVries, Janice (Robert) DeVries; and numerous nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11:00, Monday, February 19 at Cadillac CRC. Visitation will be held at Peterson Funeral and Cremation Services, Sunday, February 18 from 3:00 -5:00, and one hour before the service at the church. The family wishes to express sincere thanks to the caregivers of Curry House, Quiet Creek AFC in Falmouth, and Hospice of Michigan for the love and care shown to Marlene in her final months. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cadillac CRC Missions Fund. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.

Marlene Claire Boven

August 14, 1949 - February 13, 2024