photograph
Catalog Number
2023.66.1Description
Photograph showing Margaret Kleis sitting at a desk, textbook in hand.History
2023.66 consists of digital images from the life of Margaret Kleis, the donor’s mother.Margaret Wolffensperger Kleis was born in 1927 in Zwolle, Overisel, Netherlands. She arrived in Holland, MI in 1947 as part of a Hope College scholarship program for Dutch students.
To attract students to the program Hope College placed ads in the Dutch newspapers. This program was part of Holland’s 100th anniversary celebration.
A reply and acceptance did come in September of 1947. Immigration into the United States was closed to others at this time, only students were allowed. No one else from her family came but there were 17 other students who arrived together, 5 females and 12 males.
About her first months in Holland, MI, Margaret remembers many residents were eager to speak with her in Dutch and hear what the post-war Netherlands was like.
Margaret worked at Heinz to earn some spending money. This allowed her to see what life was like for the working people of Holland. Coworkers would invite her to their homes which was a great experience for her. This showed her the difference in how working families lived vs. the college professors and students.
A summer job Margaret had her first summer in Holland was a chambermaid at Point West. Many other students worked there too. The summer help roomed on site at Point West. Working there she was able to have fun on the beach around a campfire having hotdogs and other beach fun.
Margaret’s large family of 12 (9 siblings) encouraged her to come to the US. They did not visit until her third year here. Some of the Dutch tradition from her family that Margaret still had is tea and hot oatmeal for breakfast and a coffee break in the morning and a tea break after school with cookies. One thing her mother always did that Margaret still does is helping others. Her biggest adjustment coming to the US was how to adjust her time to get all the things done she needed to do, this included helping other besides her college expectations. Margaret has a twin sister.
After graduation Margaret married Kenneth Kleis and started her own family. Once her children were old enough to attend school, Margaret went back to earn her teacher's certificate. She found work in the Holland Public schools, mostly as a substitute. Some early organizations she joined were Bible study groups, different responsibilities for her church, Junior Welfare League, Housing Opportunities Made Equitable, Holland Area Beautiful, Holland Museum board and Hospice.