Una Gertrude Voorhorst died at 6:41 p.m. on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at the age of 94.  She was a resident of Mason Health and Rehabilitation Center in Warsaw.

She was born on Oct. 28, 1922, in East Saugatuck, Mich. to Anna (Belt) and Edward Vanden Berg.  Una enjoyed an idyllic but hard-working childhood on her family’s farm from which she could walk to the local one-room schoolhouse.  On March 4, 1948 she was married to Bernard Voorhorst, who preceded her in death in 1995.

She thrilled in sharing stories of her youth during the Great Depression, of her love of education and desire to be a teacher, and of neighborhood gatherings around the radio listening to accounts of boxing matches and baseball contests involving her beloved Detroit Tigers.  Her favorite – and most frequently recounted – tales concerned the major winter storm of 1936 and how she and her sister, Muriel, were stranded alone on the farm for several weeks while awaiting the return of their parents from nearby Holland, Michigan where her father was receiving medical attention.   These experiences imbued Una with all of the best character traits of those Americans who have become known as “The Greatest Generation.”

Una’s life was filled with love and service to others.  She was a proud charter member of Haven Reformed Church in Hamilton, Michigan and served as that congregation’s long-time secretary and later served the church in a variety of volunteer capacities.

She is survived by sons John (wife Jane) Voorhorst, New Orleans, La.; and Paul (wife Karalyn) Voorhorst, Warsaw; and her son-in-law, Robert Pott, Hamilton, Mich.  Also surviving are seven grandchildren and four and seven great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her five siblings, her adoring husband of 47 years, Bernard Edwin Voorhorst and dearly beloved eldest child, Mary Voorhorst Pott. They are together again, at last.

Una revelled in her role as the energetic and highly enthusiastic matriarch of the family, blessing them regularly with her wonderful culinary talents…which included the very finest chocolate chip cookies on the planet!  Una walked with beauty and grace her entire life and she will be sorely missed by her entire extended family and friends.

A private family graveside service will take place at Overisel Cemetery in Overisel, Mich.  Family and friends are invited to attend Una’s memorial service and following reception at Haven Reformed Church, 4691 Oak Street, Hamilton, Michigan on Saturday, July 1 at 10:30 a.m. and officiated by Reverend Ronald Ver Wys.  Local arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

The family would like to thank the staff at Grace Village Retirement Community and Mason Health and Rehabilitation Center for their loving care of Una for the past four years.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be directed to The Mary Pott Elementary Education Fund in accordance with Una’s final wishes.  Send contributions to the following address:  Mary Pott Elementary Education Foundation, c/o Allegan County Community Foundation, 524 Marshall Street, Allegan, Michigan  49010.

Online condolences may be sent through the funeral home’s Web Site at www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com