Ruth Boss
Ruth Vande Bunte Boss, 100, passed away Friday, Jan. 17, 2025.
Ruth was born Oct. 30, 1924, in Forest Grove, to Henry and Fanny (Grinwis) Vande Bunte. She graduated from Zeeland High School and went on to Hope College and Butterworth Hospital for nurse’s training.
Ruth married Floyd Boss after he returned from the U.S. Navy, and together they raised four children on their dairy farm in Vriesland. Their children are Barbara and Jon Osborn of Holland, Scott (deceased) and Joanie Boss of Hamilton, Keith Boss (deceased) of Vriesland, and Brian Boss of Zeeland. They also have several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ruth’s seven siblings have all passed away, except for her younger sister, Iris Myaard of Forest Grove.
Church worship and Christian service were an important part of Ruth’s life, beginning at Forest Grove Reformed Church and ending at Lakeshore House of Prayer, where Ruth and Floyd were members.
A private graveside service will be held at a later date.
Ethan Ritsema
Ethan Ritsema, 34, of Hudsonville, formerly of Hamilton, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025.
Ethan was a graduate of West Ottawa High School. He also attended Community Based Instruction and Compassionate Heart Ministry. Ethan worked for a time at Herman Miller, and he enjoyed competing in Special Olympics and going to Camp Sunshine.
He is survived by his parents, Robert and Kerri Ritsema; his brother and his wife, Michael and Stephanie Ritsema; his niece and nephew, Anne and Caleb; his aunts and uncles, Gerrit Ritsema, Willie Stokes, Larry Schrotenboer, Dale and Julie Schrotenboer, and Marc Schrotenboer.
A private family service will be held. Memorial contributions in Ethan’s memory can be given to Camp Sunshine or Compassionate Heart Ministry.
Glenn Wyngarden
Glenn “Lefty” Wyngarden, 98, of Zeeland passed away Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
Lefty was preceded in death by his wife of 71 years, Marge, in 2018. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy during World War II. After his service in the Navy, Lefty started working as a teller at First Michigan Bank. He spent his entire career there, retiring as bank president. He was a longtime member of Third Christian Reformed Church, where he served as an elder and deacon.
He is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Sally and Rob Petroelje, and Sandy and Doug Holtrop; grandchildren, Jodi and Brent Rieger, Liza and Kevin Zimmerman, Jenny and Ryan Linenger, Benj and Amy Petroelje, Jake and Jolene Holtrop, Luke and Ruth Holtrop, Nick and Katie Holtrop, and Arry Holtrop; 24 great-grandchildren; and his sister, Lois and Ed Hoeksema.
Funeral services were held Monday, Jan. 20, at Third Christian Reformed Church, 10 W. Central Ave., Zeeland. Interment was in Zeeland Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to Third Christian Reformed Church or Arrows + Hope Uganda.
Joan Brigham
Joan Eddy Brigham (Kathryn Joan Eddy), 100, passed peacefully on Jan. 12, 2025 in Zeeland after experiencing two strokes.
Joan was a lifelong environmentalist even before the term ‘environmentalist’ was coined. She was active in the documentation of the lethal effects of DDT on the natural world and especially the bald eagle population with Dr. George Wallace at Michigan State University. She was a founder of Woldumar Nature Center in Lansing in 1963 and the third naturalist at Fenner Nature Center (until 1982). She guided nature walks and Audubon birding trips annually and was past president of Capital Area Audubon.
Her desire to constantly learn led her to impromptu travel and remote camping to beaches of Lake Michigan, backpacking, birding and exploring archeological sites around the North America. Those memories lived on in her offspring (Ann, Dave and Rick) as they traveled the world to explore its offerings.
She is survived by her sons, Rick and Dave, Dave’s wife Jan (nee Martin). Surviving also are grandsons Kyle (wife Bridget (nee Nellis) and two children, Saige and Trent) and Geoff (wife Danielle (nee Feguer) and two children, Zoey and Miles).
A memorial service will be held this summer in Douglas at Beech-Hurst. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Alliance.
Karen Van De Walker
Karen Ute Van De Walker, 87, of Zeeland, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025.
Karen was born in Zeeland on March 12, 1937.
No services were planned.
Jane McCarty
Jane McCarty, 71, won her battle over cancer with passing into peace in her home with her family on Jan. 14, 2025.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, William, on Dec. 12, 2024, and her brother, Robert Kleis.
Jane was a member of Fellowship Reformed Church and retired from Holland Hospital following 23 years being unit clerk in the Boven Birth Center.
She is survived by her daughter, Jessica and Matthew Frost; daughter, Stephanie McCarty; grandchildren, Jaydyn, Deacon, Savannah and Isabella; sister, Sheryl and Robert DeRuiter; brother, Steve and Patricia Kleis; sister, Deb Kleis; sister-in-law, Diane Balcezak; sister-in-law, Peggy McCarty; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial services were held Monday, Jan. 20 at Fellowship Reformed Church, 2165 W. Lakewood Blvd., Holland, with Revs. Jim Baar, Nathan Schipper, and Tierra Marshall officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jane’s honor may be given to Wings of Hope Hospice at wingsofhopehospice.com and the American Cancer Society at cancer.org.
Rolland Oshier
Rolland “Rollie” LeRoy Oshier, 82, of Zeeland, passed away on Jan. 11, 2025.
Rollie was born on Aug. 4, 1942, in Lafayette, Ind., to Rollin and Edith Oshier. He later moved to Holland and graduated from Holland High. He had a 35-year career at Donnelly Corporation, working as a vacuum chamber operator in the mirror manufacturing industry.
Rollie was a passionate fisherman, particularly fond of walleye fishing, and cherished moments spent traveling and volunteering in his community and beyond. A member of First Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland, he was a devoted follower of his Savior.
Rollie is survived by his beloved wife of 38 years, Aldajean Oshier; daughters, Dawn Morris and Denise Oshier; grandchildren, Megan (Brad) Ash, James (Kayla) Morris, Jonathan (Siarra) Hoolsema, and Ariana Hulst; two great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Ann (Solon) Dewitt; in-laws, Mardean Sterenberg, Dar Van Den Bosch, Lindsay Van Den Bosch; as well as extended family and friends.
Rollie was preceded in death by his parents, Rollin and Edith Oshier, and by his brother-in-law, Cal Van Den Bosch.
Funeral services were held on Friday, Jan. 17 at First Christian Reformed Church, 15 S. Church St., Zeeland. Memorial contributions can be made to American Red Cross Disaster Relief Services or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Karen Hemmeke
Karen Lynn Hemmeke, 82, departed this life on Jan. 10, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
Born on April 27, 1942 in Pontiac to Diena and Walter Kimball, Karen grew up in Holland and attended Holland High School.
Karen was a feisty, funny, and incredibly loving woman who never met a baseball game she didn’t love. She was well-known for her ability to throw together a delicious salad or dessert, and for her whip-smart comebacks. She was also a voracious reader who enjoyed a good crime or mystery novel.
Karen is survived by her children, Kelly (Brenda) Hemmeke, Cindy (Rick) McCullick, Jeff (Deana) Hemmeke, and Debbie (Vern) Mulder; grandchildren James Hemmeke, Amber Gillean, Heather Smith, Courtney Goodin, Alisha McCullick, Joshua McCullick, Jacob Hemmeke, Jared Hemmeke, Marshall Barnes, Katie Crandell, Wyatt Barnes, Sophia Heron, Brook Mulder, Samantha Mulder, and Nathaniel Mulder; and 19 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Diena Kimball; father, Walter Kimball; brother, Charles Kimball, and sister, Joyce
Leeuw.
A celebration of Karen’s life will be held on Friday, Jan. 24 from 1-7 p.m. at the Port Sheldon Township Hall, 16201 Port Sheldon St, West Olive.
Scott Meyaard
Scott Allen Meyaard, 55, passed away unexpectedly on Jan. 10, 2025.
Scott was born on Oct. 28, 1969. He grew up in West Michigan and attended Holland High School.
Throughout the years, Scott spent time in the hospitality industry, most fond for him was his time at Bill Knapp’s in Holland. He then worked at The Edge Ice Arena for many years and was known for keeping the rowdy hockey crowd in line. Most recently, he has been an integral part of the Dutch Village team, leading their maintenance team.
Scott is preceded in death by his father, Sherwin Meyaard, his mother, Diane (Mel) Murphy, and his beloved dog, Ghost.
He is survived by his wife, Julie; children, Nick, Zane, and Skyla (Snarski); siblings Alice (Jeffrey) VanHassel, Anthony (Nancy) Meyaard and Kathryn (Meyaard) Bryne; nieces and nephews, Eric (Megan) DeWitt, Angela (Brian) Beebe, Joseph (Danielle) VanHassel, Andrew, Daniel, and Isaac Meyaard, Linayah and Tyler Bell, and Evelyn and Layne Bryne.
Services were held Thursday, Jan. 16 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.
Scott was known to support a variety of charities and causes. In lieu of flowers, follow in his footsteps and consider donating to your favorite cause in his memory.
Maria Nava
Maria de Jesus R. Nava, 89, of Holland, died Jan. 9, 2025 at her home surrounded by her family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ramon Nava, Jr. in 2001, and her son, Carlos Nava in 2020.
Maria is survived by her children, Ramon III and Pauline Nava, Anna Delgado, Robert and Elisa Nava, Rene and Olga Nava, Ramiro and Irma Nava, Rachel and Julian Hernandez; daughter-in law, Rose Nava; 21 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, three great-great grandchildren; in-laws, Blanca Ramirez, Willie Nava, Oscar and Alicia Nava, Adelina Villareal, Gloria Sandoval; many nieces and nephews.
A funeral mass was held Thursday, Jan. 16 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 171 W. 13th St. Holland. Burial was in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Suanne Elgersma
Suanne Elgersma was born on Nov. 14, 1961, in Holland. She was born with a disability that limited her daily life.
Suanne graduated from Tobosa High School in Roswell, N.M. in 1983. She was an avid horse lover and once had a few horses alongside a huge collection of horse belongings. She loved when people would read her stories. A few of her favorite stories included Black Beauty, the story of Elijah ascending to heaven in a fiery chariot of horses, and she loved her Archie comic books.
On Jan. 8, 2025, God sent her very own fiery chariot of horses to transport her to her heavenly home. She was welcomed into heaven, where she was freed from all her earthly limitations and reunited with her sister, whom she loved dearly.
Proceeding her in death is her brother, Scottie Elgersma; sister, Peggy Vasquez (Elgersma); mother, Nancy Hansen; grandparents, Carol “Doc” and Ruth Hansen, and John and Margaret Elgersma; and cousin Tonia VanHarn.
She is survived by her brother, Andy Elgersma, her father, Alan, and her stepmother Marcia Elgersma; nieces and nephews, Amanda (Michael) Lopez, Aurora (Phillip) Lasavath, Juan (Allison) Rodriguez, Angel Vasquez, and Tatianna Cobos; great-nieces and nephews, Junior, Ysabel
(Mike), Yesenia, Nikolai, Makalai, Jayden, Isaiah, Jayanna, Jimmy, and Elijah; great-great niece and nephew, Jocelyn and Benjamin, aunt Roma (Bill) VanHarn, cousin Monica VanHarn and her step-siblings Scott, Steve, and Sarah.
No services were scheduled.
