As a child, Gezina came to America with her family in 1865, and grew up on their farm in Graafschap, MI (map of Broene farm). Derk grew up on the family farm nearby (map of Arens farm).

Derk and Gezina were married in 1882, and in 1906 they relocated to a farm in South Olive, which by 1912 consisted of 120 acres (map of farm). They became friends with both Jacob and Mary Mulder and Hermanus and Henrietta Gruppen.

Derk was also a stonemason and active in the church as an elder. At some point on the farm her lost his hand in a corn shredder.

Later, they sold the farm to son John and moved to 81 East 17th Street in Holland, MI, where he lost much money through poor investments, one of which involved a gas station. Gezina was a sickly woman with a sharp tongue, who lived for a year with Gerrit and Gertrude Mulder when she was ill. After she died, Derk moved in with son John. He was a quiet but easygoing man who still bragged of his many investments, although he really remained poor.

Gezina is buried in East Holland Cemetery (L100 G6), and Derk next to her (L100 G7).