Phyllis "Flis" Esther Looman
An interview with my Mother, Flis. She has some incredible stories and life experiences. A warrior in many ways - losing a brother at an early age to a drunk driver, fighting cancer 4x and losing a kidney in the process, back surgery, miscarriages, and through it all, a prayer warrior. I strive to be as kind as she is to others. If after hearing this you’d like to have me interview/photograph and pay tribute to someone you love, please feel free to contact me. I hope you enjoy listening.
1946. 2.5 years old.
As described in the first minute of the interview, the Santa mask that traumatized Flis at the young age of 18 months.
1947. 3.5 years old.
The Quincy st. home and blueberry farm on the north side of Holland, MI where Flis grew up. Photo taken in 1950s.
A bookmark/image that reminds Flis of the times her Dad took her on walks to the back of the farm where she held on to his index finger and learned life-changing bible verses.
Flis’ father, Harold in his later years.
The kids building a snow-fort next to the farmhouse taken mid 1940s.
Dekker siblings, Tom 5, Flis 7, Jan 9, and Bob 11. 1950.
1949. 5 years old.
The Dekker family. Backrow from left - Gordon, Eunice, Dave, Mom-Marjorie, Dad-Harold holding Laurie, Don. Bottom from left, Bob, Joe, Janice, Flis and Tom in the front. Missing from photo: Norman Dekker serving in the Korean War.
1960. 16 years old.
1961. Flis, 17 years and Jim, 22 years.
West Ottawa senior prom, 1962. The first class graduated from West Ottawa.
Flis’ boys - Jon, 8 yrs, Daniel, 1 yr, and Jim, 9 yrs. Photo - 1975.
1982
1988 photo of Flis in the kitchen making/serving cherry pie, one of the many delicacies in her baking skills.
Flis and Jim, 2016.
Listen to the funny story Flis tells about how Jim got stuck in a Bodyglove wetsuit like the one pictured above. Even with the help of Flis, he couldn’t get out. See minute 1:25:04 of the interview.
Flis, seated in front of a wall-quilt she made with fabric collected in Seattle, WA. 2023.
Flis n Jim. 2021 at the cottage, a piece of Heaven where they’ve been able to share time and fun with many.