Christine Ruth Barense

Christine Ruth (Buursma) Barense, 78, of Zeeland, Michigan, passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Port Saint Lucie, Florida. Chris was born on October 18, 1946, to Norman and Hester Buursma of Holland, Michigan.

Chris connected with Gregory Barense at Village Inn Pizza, where she worked, and he ate with his team after his fast-pitch softball games. They married in 1976 and raised four boys, spending time playing/watching sports and enjoying their home/property, providing a gathering spot for holidays and hangouts. The plants and gardens were Chris’s outdoor escape, and she adored entertaining friends on the back porch, in the she-shed, or at the front grotto. They also cruised and explored the many ends of the Caribbean with Chris always looking refreshed and kissed by the sun upon her return.

Being the consummate party planner, Chris delighted in hosting and preparing for each event and season. As they grew older, the grandkids were included in the day-before activities: gingerbread house creation, Thanksgiving centerpiece construction, and the feast production. There were always plates and plates of food...and sometimes even a chocolate fountain or carousel of crockpots. It was nearly impossible to leave without a giant Ziploc bag of leftovers.

Chris adored traditions. After enjoying a menu of his/her favorite dishes at monthly parties, birthday grandkids were sung to and featured, seated on the “present” table to open gifts. These customs were cherished, along with play dates, sleepovers, and adventurous golf cart rides around the gardens and creeks of Drenthe, sometimes ending at the Village Dipper for ice cream. Christmas was spectacular as she showcased her love and design gifts throughout every inch of her home, creating a winter wonderland. The stockings could not be hung because they were the most giant of giant gift bags, overflowing with every possible trinket, another one of Chris’s trademarks.

Creativity was Chris’s passion. She partnered with her husband in the early 80s to attend art shows, selling their wooden Peanut/M&M Machines locally. P&C Creations, a country crafts business, highlighted Chris’s painting talents and allowed her time to be a mom. Picking a paint color was her superpower, and ultimately, Chris began partnering with local builders to advise on their home designs and to decorate and stage them, especially for the annual Parade of Homes. Despite the long hours, these projects brought Chris satisfaction and many, many compliments. Visitors would be heard to say, “You can tell this is a Chris Barense home.”

She was always making friends. Everywhere Chris went, she made friends: at appointments, on the job, and in stores — everywhere. There was not much she enjoyed more than a dinner out with friends. There was nothing she liked more than stepping up for a friend. Chris will be remembered for her beautiful heart, her generosity to others, and her love for those around her.

Chris was preceded in death by her husband Gregory Allen Barense, her parents, and her brother Charles Buursma. She is survived by her children Curtis and Tammy (Lamer) Barense and their children CJ and Robyn (Chearo) Barense and great-grandson Henry, Chandler Barense, and Tayte Barense; Daniel and Beth (Larcombe) Barense and their children Luke Barense and Danielle Hammer,

Benjamin and Taylor (Criscione) Barense, Megan Barense, and Owen Barense: Douglas and Suzanne (Immink) Barense and their children Jackson Barense, Ainsley Barense, and Levi Barense; Chad and Michele (Niehof) Barense and their children Gregory and Brooke (Morris) Barense-Whyte, Garrett Barense, Melanie Barense; and by her brother Norman and Connie Buursma and her sister- in-law Norma Buursma.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a future date. Interment will be at West Drenthe Cemetery.

Memorials can be made in support of Chris’s grandson Chandler, who is a campus missionary through Reliant at the University of Michigan: https://reliant.org/chandler.barense