Jan. 11, 1926 — July 30, 2014

Henrica W. Hradel, 88, of Niles, but most recently of Dowagiac passed away Wednesday, July 30, 2014, at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo.

She was born to the late Michael and Marie (Dykhoff) Van der Heijden in Someren, Netherlands on Jan. 11, 1926.

On Feb. 18th, 1952, in the Netherlands, Henrica married Karel VanDyck, who passed in 1968. She found love again and on July 10, 1971, she married the late John William “Bill” Hradel at a ceremony in Indiana.

Henrica and Bill shared a love for dancing, especially Polka, and they also took great pride in their flower garden at their home which felt like a little “Holland” if you ever had the pleasure of seeing it. Their garden also attracted quite a flock of birds, which she quite contentedly would sit and watch. As a small girl, Henrica and her family were an integral part of the “Dutch Underground” and were responsible for saving the lives of Jewish families and allied pilots. Perhaps, it was this start that began to mold Henrica into the quintessential mother that she was. Her children fondly remember the care that she gave them, the wonderful meals that were always provided for them and the delight that filled her heart to just tend to her family and whatever needs they might have had. As her children grew and Henrica began to have hobbies of her own she loved a game of cards and was a very successful bingo player, who could keep track of her cards as well as those around her.

Preceding Henrica are her parents, first husband Karel VanDyck, her second husband Bill Hradel, a son Carl VanDyck, brother Michael Van der Heijen, sisters Marietje Van der Heijden and Christine Van der Linden and a grandson Joel Crump.

Surviving Henrica are her children, Michael (Billie) VanDyck of Medina, Ohio, Chris (Gary) Walter of Niles, Anne (Jerry) Peterson of Allegan, Michigan, Julie (Dan) Kuhn of Leesburg, Indiana, Mark (Sharon) Hradel of Niles, Jane Crump of Yuma, Arizona and daughter in law Brenda Courser of Parma, Michigan and her siblings, Nicolaas Van der Heijden and Anne (Pierre) Verbraak, both of the Netherlands. Also surviving Henrica is her grandchildren; Dawn (Matt) Strength, Cari (Russell) Vanderheyden, Jeremiah (Brian Jones) Peterson, Joshua (Erin)Peterson, Emily Kuhn, L. Nicole Kuhn, Monica (Drew) Bordner, Erik (Lindsey) VanDyck, Davion Hradel and Darious Hradel, her great grandchildren, Harper and Gwen Vanderheyden, Brynlee VanDyck and Landon Strength.

Those wishing to make a memorial donation may do so to the Niles Veterans’ Memorial or the charity of one’s choice.

Photos, memories, and condolences may be left for the family at www.BrownFuneralHomeNiles.com or www.Facebook.com/BrownFuneralHomeNiles.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services.