GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A woman credited with saving hundreds of Jews during World War II has died at age 99.

Diet Eman died Tuesday, Sept. 3, according to close friend and Rockford resident Chris Crandle. Funeral arrangements at Seymour Christian Reformed Church are pending.

In 1994, Eman authored a book about her experiences titled “Things We Couldn’t Say,” and frequently spoke around West Michigan about her book and her experiences.

“I have been blessed to know her for 13 years, and I’m just in awe at how many people have read her book and how many lives have been changed because of her story.” Crandle said. “I’m just absolutely blessed to have called her a friend.”

The longtime West Michigan resident was born and raised in the Netherlands and took part in the underground Dutch resistance against the Nazis after their invasion in 1940.

During that time she provided forged identification cards and shelter for Jews and others targeted for extermination. She also aided downed Allied pilots.

The Dutch king, in a 2015 visit to Grand Rapids, called Eman "one of our national heroes with the highest decoration of anybody in the Dutch Resistance against the Nazis.”

If you are reading this in your Facebook app, use this link to view the entire gallery of photos of Diet Eman.