Deanna "Dee" Ten Brink

Deanna Jane Ten Brink, 82, of Elk Rapids, MI, and Gulfport, FL, passed away on Monday, February 17, 2025, at her home in Elk Rapids. She was born on July 9, 1942, in Detroit, MI.

Dee was part of the first graduating class at Osborn High School in Detroit, and went on to attend Michigan State University. She didn’t finish at the time, but ended up going back and earning a bachelor’s degree in education in 1984. She enjoyed a fruitful career in retail sales, and spent several years working for a travel agency as well. In retirement, she spent much of her time volunteering on the Chamber of Commerce in Gulfport and Elk Rapids, as well as the Red Hat Society in Florida.

On August 6, 1983, in Ypsilanti, she married the love of her life, Henry Ten Brink. They lived in Whitmore Lake for 25 years, then moved to Menominee for a short time, and eventually moved to Gulfport in 2004. They purchased a second home in Elk Rapids in 2009 and split time between the two until 2024.

Dee loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren more than anything. She had the gift of gab, and would strike up a conversation with a complete stranger without skipping a beat. She was an avid reader and belonged to book clubs in Gulfport and Elk Rapids. She also enjoyed shopping of any kind, painting, listening to a wide variety of music, and watching the Hallmark Channel.

Dee is survived by her husband, Henry Ten Brink; two children, Noel Bond of Gulfport, FL, and Carrie (Patrick) Cole of Pinellas Park, FL; two step-children, William (Jean) Ten Brink of Houston, TX, and Jennifer (Kwane) McKinnon of Detroit; 10 grandchildren, Cassandra Morrison, Cameron Bond, Destiny McWilliams, Shane McWilliams, Alyssa (Brendan) Williams, Bobbi Jo Haygood, Brianna Ten Brink, Myah Ten Brink, Leah Ten Brink, and Nia McKinnon; 11 great-grandchildren; and her beloved puppy, Sweet Pea.

She was preceded in death by her father, Dean Schoenbeck, her mother, Catherine (Wolfe) Hall, and her step-father, Henry Hall.

There are no services planned at this time. Dee will be laid to rest in Washtenong Memorial Park.

Arrangements are in the care of the Central Lake Chapel of Mortensen Funeral Homes. Please sign her online guestbook at www.mortensenfuneralhome.com