Grace Hekman Bruinsma, born May10, 1916 in Denver, Colorado died March 30, 2006 in Sun City, Arizona. Grace was the daughter of Henry and Minnie Hekman and the sister of Henrietta Hegsted, Edsko Hekman, Louis Hekman, and John Hekman, all deceased. The Hekman family has long been associated with multiple philanthropic and religious activities in the Western Michigan area. The family had moved from Grand Rapids to Denver for health reasons. Upon returning, Grace graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High, Calvin College and the University of Michigan. She married Grand Rapids native Henry A. Bruinsma in 1939 joining him in Durham, North Carolina where he was on the music faculty. During World War II, while Henry was serving overseas, Grace participated in the Calvin College community, serving as Dean of Women. The 1946 Calvin yearbook was dedicated to her. She became familiar to many during the next years as a frequent contributor to The Banner. As Dr. Bruinsma moved to increasingly enhanced positions within the academic communities of Arizona State University, Southern Illinois University, The Ohio State University, again to Arizona State University as Dean, and then to San Jose State university as Dean, Grace continued to carve out her role as support, community leader, church leader and most importantly as mom. Dr. Bruinsma passed away in 1991, and son Jim, passed away in 1993. She is survived by oldest son, Bruce Bruinsma of Pasadena, California; her daughter-in-law, Judy Bruinsma; and their two children, Bethany Bruinsma Palmer of Colorado Springs and Brent Bruinsma of Mission Viego, California, plus two grandsons.