GRAND RAPIDS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — An icon of the Meijer retail store brand has died. Lena Meijer, the wife of Frederik Meijer, passed away on Saturday, January 15.
The Michigan native and member of the Meijer Board of Directors was born in Lakeview in 1919 and graduated from Lakeview Highschool in 1937. Meijer then enrolled in Central Michigan University to become a teacher, but due to the Great Depression, chose to work at a local bank instead.
Meijer was then offered a job by Hendrik Meijer at his Meijer’s Thrift Market in Greenville where she worked as a bookkeeper and cashier. She worked at the store for four years before meeting her husband, Fred Meijer, whom she married in 1946. Meijer worked in the business until 1952 when she had her first three sons: Hank, Doug and Mark.
Lena and Fred became involved in the Grand Rapids community through charitable efforts such as the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and Lena Meijer Children’s Garden at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
The organizations she helped over her lifetime paid tribute to include Spectrum Health who issued the following statement.
“It is with great sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Lena Meijer.
We extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends. Lena was a woman of great kindness, compassion and generosity. She was a champion of health care, the arts, nature, education and business.
Lena had a long-standing relationship with Spectrum Health. Lena and Fred generously gave the lead gift in support of the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center. The people of West Michigan have access to a wide array of high-quality cardiovascular care because of her and Fred’s vision and philanthropy.
In addition, they also supported the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavillon, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital and United and Kelsey Hospitals.
Lena will be missed, but her legacy will live on through the programs and services made possible by her compassion and generosity, which will benefit West Michigan for generations. Spectrum Health is very proud and grateful to have her name on the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center as a tribute to a great and gracious lady.“
Longtime friends of the Meijer Family, the DeVos Family also paid tribute.
“Lena Meijer was a quiet force of nature in our community and we are sad to learn of her passing. She had a warm and giving spirit, that was evident from the moment she walked in any room. She was a friend and partner to our parents / grandparents, as she was to us, and a steadfast supporter of her husband, her family and all of West Michigan. We smile as we think of Lena’s love of flowers and how the Meijer Gardens shares that passion with so many others. Lena lived generously and her legacy will live on through the countless lives she touched.”
She passed away on Saturday, at the age of 102.
