GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Lena Rader Meijer, the philanthropic wife of Meijer grocery store magnate Frederik Meijer, died Saturday, Jan. 15 at the age of 102.
Meijer, who also served on the Meijer Board of Directors, is being remembered by her family as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
“The blessings of a long and fruitful life outweigh the sorrow with the passing of our mom, Lena Meijer,” said a statement from Hank Meijer, Executive Chairman of Meijer. “Her gracious, giving spirit and dedication to her family, our company and our community were beyond measure and appreciated by many. She will be greatly missed.”
A private family ceremony is planned to honor Lena Meijer.
Related: Fred Meijer, West Michigan billionaire grocery magnate, dies at 91
Born on May 14, 1919 to German immigrants, Lena Meijer grew up on a family farm near Lakeview, Michigan where she spent her childhood working on the farm, gardening and milking cows.
After studying to become a teacher at Central Michigan University, Meijer was hired by Hendrik Meijer to be a cashier at the original Meijer store in 1940, her obituary says. Four years later, she met the grocer’s son, Fred Meijer, and the two went on their first date at a community barn dance.
Fred and Lena Meijer got married in 1946 and moved to Grand Rapids five years later.
Lena Meijer then devoted herself to her family, raising three sons, Hank, Doug and Mark, and volunteering at Grand Rapids Public Schools as a member of the Aberdeen School PTA. Over the years, she also partnered with her husband on his growing chain of Meijer retail stores, attending store openings and team member dinners.
Meijer, a family-operated grocery store chain based in Grand Rapids, now has 258 stores in six states.
Related: Customers react to Meijer brothers’ personal tribute to their mom
Fred and Lena Meijer, who were married for 65 years, enjoyed traveling together. They visited to six continents where they embarked on adventures like camel riding, hot-air balloon flights, golf tournaments and cycling trips, according to an obituary.
The Meijers were also actively involved in supporting the Grand Rapids community through philanthropic efforts, including donating to Spectrum Health’s Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center.
It was Lena Meijer’s love of gardens that inspired the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory and Lena Meijer Children’s Garden at the Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
Lena Meijer decorates the German Christmas tree at the Frederik Meijer Gardens in preparation for Christmas and Holiday Traditions around the World in 2007. (Lori Niedenfuer Cool/The Grand Rapids Press)BPN
“For many years, she decorated the German Christmas tree as a volunteer at the Gardens. There, as at Meijer, her affection for the dedicated volunteers and coworkers was always evident,” Hank Meijer said. “She and Fred delighted in welcoming visitors to the Gardens.”
She is also remembered for her love of penguins.
Meijer is survived by her three children, seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren in addition to nieces, nephews and cousins.
U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids, said his grandmother had a “long, full and impactful life.”
“She was the warmest grandmother a grandson could ask for. Our family will forever cherish the memories and legacy she created with Grandpa Fred,” he said in a statement.
The Meijer family asks instead of flowers that memorial contributions be made to the Lena Meijer Children’s Garden at the Frederik Meijer Gardens.
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