Jane Elzinga, 81
Jane Delila Elzinga, 81, of Zeeland, died on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025.
Jane was born in Minneapolis but lived most of her life in West Michigan. She worked for Rainbow Grill, WFUR Radio, and VanManen Oil for many years. She had a passion for volunteering and served at Solve Homes and Revive Community Resale.
The following family members preceded Jane in heaven: parents, Gertrude and John Kuiper; son, Bart Randall Scott; brothers-in-law, Donald Scott, Dick Scott and Richard Dykstra; husbands, Robert Jay Scott and Robert Dale Elzinga; son-in-law, Richard A. Bos.
Jane is survived by the following family members:
Robert and Mary Scott, Rachael and Shawn O’Donnell, Erica Scott, Nick and Lindsey Scott, Ellis Scott, and Cody Brown.
Lori Bos, Chandler and Brittany Bos, Michael and Antonia Piechocki.
Robert and Crystal Nitz, Alexis Nitz, and Vanessa Nitz.
Rick and Tami Elzinga, Nate and Kacie Elzinga, Cory and Jessica Elzinga.
Keith and Deb Risselada, Eric and Brittany Risselada, and Kyle Risselada.
Scott and Cindy Elzinga, Jason Elzinga, Jessica and Tony DeBrota.
Steve and Kathy Nemec, Heather Nemec and Trent VanderMolen, Asha and Benji Groenhof, Alisha and Keegan Lehman, Hannah Elzinga and Nicholas Smith, and Trent Nemec.
Faye Dykstra, Joyce and Larry Hoezee, Jay and Jone Kuiper, Jean Scott, and Linda Haines.
Jane leaves behind many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28 in the sanctuary of Christ Memorial Church (Please use entrance C), 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland. The service will be livestreamed on the Christ Memorial streaming platform: youtube.com/@christ memorial/live. The funeral service recording will also be rebroadcast later from the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home Facebook page.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7:30 p.m. tonight at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Friday prior to the funeral service at Christ Memorial Church.
Interment will be in Georgetown Township Cemetery.
Barbara Dykema, 78
Barbara Faye Dykema, 78, passed away on Friday, Feb. 21, 2025.
Barb fought a valiant battle with a variety of health issues and was surrounded by family at Meijer Heart Center in Grand Rapids when she passed.
Barb was born and raised in Zeeland. She graduated from Holland Christian High School, where she met her beloved husband, Donald. They celebrated 57 years of marriage last fall. Don and Barb raised their family in Holland, where they were active members of Christ Memorial Church.
Barb especially loved children, and they loved her. She worked as a nursery coordinator at Christ Memorial Church for more than 30 years, and she also did in-home childcare. She loved watching her childcare “kids” grow up, marry and have children of their own. She also helped coach the Zeeland RoboDux, traveling with the team as their most enthusiastic cheerleader. In addition, she volunteered with Kids Hope and Evergreen Commons.
Barb is survived by her husband, Donald Dykema; her children and grandchildren, Lee (Laura) Dykema, Amber, Isaac and Megan; Christy (James) Allen, Jason and Justin; brother, Robert Arnoldink; sister, Beth DenBleyker; brother-in-law, Jerry Dykema; sister-in-law Beverly (David) Snyder; and several nieces and nephews.
She was pre-deceased by her parents, Ralph and Florda Arnoldink; sister-in-law, Karen Arnoldink; brother-in-law, Calvin DenBleyker; and sister-in-law, Elsa Dykema.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Foundry Church, 425 100th Ave., Zeeland.
The family would like to thank SKLD Zeeland for their kindness and care for Barb over the past several weeks. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Barb’s honor to Kids Hope or ZPS RoboDux.
Deanna Brody, 40
Deanna Rena Brody, 40, of Holland, formerly of Fayetteville, N.C., passed away suddenly on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.
Deanna was born in Fayetteville on Oct. 20, 1984. Her father was Robert Cipolla (now deceased), and her mother is Rena (nee Brown) Baxley. Deanna has two children that survive her, Aiden Nordeman and Amelia Posey.
She is also survived by her mother and stepfather, Rena and Randy Baxley; siblings, Crystal Locklear, Kathleen Morphis, Kevin Cipolla, Katelyn Baxley, and Corey Baxley; stepbrothers, Jack Morrison and Michael Morrison; husband, Mike Brody; and many extended family members.
Visitation starts at 11 a.m., and memorial services begin at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 1, at the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Fayetteville, N.C.
In lieu of flowers, family requests that donations be made to Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 3934 Sunnyside School Rd. Fayetteville, NC 28312.
Arrangements are by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State Street, Zeeland.
Kenneth Strengholt, 91
Kenneth Strengholt, 91, passed away on Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2025, at Appledorn Living Center.
Ken was born on June 21, 1933 in Chicago and later moved to Holland with his parents, Phil and Evelyn Strengholt. He graduated from Holland High School and attended Hope College. He married Barbara (Barbie) Van Huis and were married for 71 years.
Ken serviced in the National Guard. He was a member of Central Park Reformed Church where he served as a deacon, went on mission trips and many other things to serve the Lord. Ken worked at Dr. Pepper Snapple Group (Brooks Producer), for more than 60 years. Ken was known for his sense of humor and would often joke that he had so much energy that “Consumers Energy wanted to buy him.”
Ken is survived by his wife of 71 years, Barbara Strengholt; brother, Phil (Sandie) Strengholt; daughters, Dawn (Howard) Bultman, Jan Schouten, and Lynn (Paul) Streur; grandchildren, Ashley, Keenan, Devin, Chelsey, Jassmine, and Lauren; great-grandchildren, Abree, Josiah, Mary, Cora, Finn, and Indy; special neighbors, Joe and Gail Rodgers; and honorary grandchildren, Ally and Joey Rodgers.
Ken was preceded in death by: his parents, Phil and Evelyn Strengholt; brother, Roy Strengholt; and brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jim (Carolyn) Van Huis.
Services for Kenneth will be held at a later date.
Velma Nykamp, 87
Velma Nykamp, 87, of Holland, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.
Velma was born on Dec. 23, 1937, the youngest of seven siblings. She admitted she was spoiled and given a lot of attention from her brothers and sisters.
Velma was married to Ron Myrick for 53 years, and together they raised their sons, Tom Myrick and Dave Myrick in Holland. Velma worked for 22 years as treasurer of Park Township, where she was well known and well loved. After retiring, she spent several years working elections and was an election inspector. After Ron’s passing, she later married their longtime friend Ron Nykamp.
Velma’s later years were spent at the Warm Friend in downtown Holland, where she enjoyed her many friends and activities. She played in the Warm Friend Band, went on many outings and was especially passionate about playing cards with friends. She was an active member of Pillar Church.
Velma is survived by her sons, Dave Myrick, Tom and Lori Myrick; grandchildren, Brittaney and Brock Finnestad, Hunter and Tiffani Myrick; great-grandchild, Blakely Finnestad; her stepchildren and their families, Doug and Phyllis Nykamp, Dee and Mark Recker, Bob and Sue Nykamp; as well as many beloved friends and extended family. She was preceded in death by her husbands, Ron Myrick and Ron Nykamp, as well as by her many siblings.
A memorial service was held Monday, Feb. 24 at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 325 E. 16th St., Holland. Memorial Contributions may be given to Pillar Church or to Hospice of Holland.
Harold Wolters, 84
Harold “Herk” Wolters, 84, of Holland, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025.
Herk was a devoted member of Park Christian Reformed Church, where he faithfully served his faith community. His commitment to Christian education was evident in his time spent on the Holland Christian school board. Alongside his beloved wife, Karen (Kapenga) Wolters, he found great fulfillment in mission work, dedicating time and talent to causes in Mexico, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Mississippi.
After 43 years of service, Herk retired from Donnelly Corporation, leaving behind a lasting legacy of hard work and dedication.
He is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Karen; children, Tami and Jeff DeKam, Greg and Carrie Wolters, and Brian and Jackie Wolters; grandchildren, Ahnna DeKam, Colin DeKam, Lexi DeKam, Jenna and Shane Kelley, Lucas Wolters, Alyssa Wolters, Evie Wolters and Isaac Wolters; siblings Bert and Karl Von Ins, Helen Fennema, Rog and Bonnie Wolters, Sharon and Vern Walters, and Steve and Diane Wolters; in-laws, Bob VanBruggen, Mevin Bergman, Betty and Larry Petroelje, Patsy Bull, Mark and Mary Scheerhorn, and Tom and Diane Kapenga; and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service to honor Herk’s life was held Monday, Feb. 24 at Park Christian Reformed Church, 1496 W. 32nd St., Holland. He was laid to rest at Noordeloos Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Globe International at P.O. Box 3040, Pensacola, FL, 32516-3040 or by email to Sandy.Britnell@globeintl.org.
Melvin VandenHeuvel, 87
Melvin Earl “Mike” VandenHeuvel, 87, of Battle Creek, passed away Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025.
Mike was born Dec. 18, 1937, in Borculo to Edward and Minnie (Byer) VandenHeuvel. He earned his bachelor’s degree in agriculture and marketing. He also earned his pilot’s license. He was honorably discharged from the Coast Guard Reserves. Before he retired, he flew and drove for KHS Air Freight, worked for Hubbard Milling Company and Alvan Freight.
In high school, Mike played baseball and football, and his team was undefeated for two years. He was an avid biker and rode many tours including the PALM and RAGBRAI. He biked across the United States in six weeks at age 72. Mike also served as a Scoutmaster and was a youth leader in Marion.
Mike is survived by his wife, Judy VandenHeuvel; daughter, Lori (Mark) Smith; son, Craig (Jayci Birkey) VandenHeuvel; grandchildren, Caleb, Joshua and Kayanna; sister-in-law, June VandenHeuvel and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings.
A service to celebrate Mike’s life was held on Friday, Feb. 21 at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home in Battle Creek. In lieu of flowers, donations in Mike’s memory may be directed to Battle Creek Habitat for Humanity or Chapel Hill United Methodist Church Missions.
Marshall Griggs, 68
Marshall Alan Griggs, age 68, of Holland, passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025.
Marshall, known to family as Alan, was born in Rapid City, S.D. on Feb. 11, 1956. He was raised in Grand Haven and then moved to Zeeland as a young boy. He went to Zeeland Public Schools until he received his GED, then enlisted in the Navy and served 10 years in California.
He moved back to Michigan in the late 1980’s and worked for Tennant, Magna Donnelly, and later Billco until retirement. Alan enjoyed hunting and fishing in earlier years and loved all football, but mostly the Lions.
Marshall was preceded in death by his twin brother, Mark Edward Griggs, and his father, Ivan Kenneth Griggs.
He is survived by his daughter, Courtney (Reed) Haverdink of Hamilton; grandsons, Braden, Brody, and Brenyn Haverdink, and Leslie (Joe) Householder of Jenison; grandchildren, Taylor Bosma, Cameron Householder, Connor Householder; great-grandson Ezra Renteria; mother, Karen Lawson (Bud Lawson stepfather) of Zeeland; siblings, Mary (Kevin) Stielstra of Borculo, Richard Schmidt (Tammie) Miller of Wyoming, Kevin (Kim) Schmidt of Hamilton, Kim (Dave) Robinson of Vriesland, Dennis Schmidt of Wyoming, Denise Tharp of Zeeland, and Lisa (Rick) McKinney of Zeeland; stepsister, Coni Lawson of Holland; several aunts and uncles; and many cousins; several nieces and nephews.
His family will hold a celebration of life at a later date.
