Marie Kenbeek Hollender

Marie Kenbeek Hollender, born May 6, 1910 in Leiden, Netherlands, Marie died in Atlanta, GA January 31, 2008. She immigrated with her parents and 7 older siblings at age 3, settling in Detroit. She attended St. Paul's Lutheran School, where the instruction was in German until WWI. She spoke Dutch at home, German in the school, and English without any accent. During the Great Depression, Marie moved to Chicago to be with her married sister. There she found work in a Five and Dime store, where she met John Hollender, a widower. He pursued her and on June 21, 1935 they married. At age 25 she had 3 stepchildren, ages 14, 8, and 5. Two years later she had a child of her own. She spent her child-rearing years in Chicago, adding two foster children for periods of 2-4 years each. At separate times Marie nursed her mother, her mother-in-law, and her husband until they all died at home. Her primary calling was caring for others, although she worked in accounting positions for a number of years until retirement. Marie moved with her husband to Florida in retirement until assistance was needed with him, then moved to Tucker in the 1970s, and has lived with her son and daughter-in-law in Atlanta the last six years. All siblings pre-deceased Marie, as did her 2 stepsons, Frank and James Hollender. She is survived by her stepdaughter and husband, Phyllis and Lou DeJong of Grand Rapids MI, her son and wife, John and Nelda Hollender of Atlanta GA, her foster daughter, Helen Lohmeier of Lisle IL, daughter-in-law, Natalie Hollender of Anaheim Hills, CA, and sister-in-law, Jeanette Kenbeek of Holland MI. Eleven nephews and nieces, 14 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren also survive. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:30 pm on Monday, February 4 at North Decatur Presbyterian Church, 611 Medlock Rd., Decatur, with reception following. A. S. Turner & Sons.