Lee Nykamp, 82
Lee Richard Nykamp, 82, passed away on April 26, 2025.
Born in Zeeland July 6, 1942, to James and Janet (Habers) Nykamp, Lee remembers joining his father at Nykamp Beverage at the age of 8, assigned the task of sorting bottles. He worked for Brooks Beverage after the sale of the company, but then spent more than 24 years at Herman Miller. After taking early retirement from Herman Miller, he worked part-time for another 15 years at Inontime.
Lee is survived by his wife of 59 years, Helene (Scholten) Nykamp; children and grandchildren, Doug and Jany Nykamp (James, Anthony and Isabel, and Hendrik), Lisa and Jerry Steenwyk (Brad and Kassidy and Cassie), and Jon and Stephanie Nykamp (Kaylynn, Laynna and Stevee); siblings, Joyce Jacobusse and Evonne and Kelly Inderberg; in-laws, Howard Johnson, Shirley Scholten, Louise and Terry Otting, and Jan Nykamp. He is predeceased by his brother, Dale Nykamp; and in-laws, Paul Jacobusse, Marian Johnson and Jason Scholten.
Funeral services will be held Friday, May 2 at noon at Covenant Presbyterian Church (PCA), 1015 E. 32nd St., Holland. Interment will be in West Drenthe Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland, and from 11 to 11:45 a.m. Friday at Covenant Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Mission Fund at Covenant Presbyterian Church or to Ascending Leaders.
Paul Sale, 85
Paul Leon Sale, 85, returned to the love and care of God on April 25, 2025, with the care of hospice and at the home he loved.
Born in Holland on June 24, 1939, Paul had an engineer’s mind, a sailor’s soul, and a heart as big as the water he loved. A graduate of Holland High School and DeVry Technical Center, Paul spent his life building, fixing, and always tinkering.
Paul was married to the love of his life, Bozena, for 53 years. He was the father of Kurt (Amy), grandsons, Tyler and Travis, daughter, Tania Dozeman (Ted), and grandsons Elliot and Sebastian. He was preceded in death by his son, Jeff; sister, Leona Sluis; and parents, Laura and Lawrence.
In 1973, Paul founded Sale’s Heating and Cooling. More than 52 years later, the company still runs strong under the leadership of his son Kurt — a true testament to Paul’s success and steady determination.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, May 2, at 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church of Holland, 57 W. 10th St., Holland, with visitation beginning at 3 p.m. A celebratory gathering will then take place on Thursday, May 8, at the Macatawa Bay Yacht Club from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
In place of flowers, contributions may be made to Evergreen Commons, a community center for seniors that Paul frequently visited with his friends, or to Hospice of Holland.
Robert Ritsema, 89
Dr. Robert (Bob) Allen Ritsema, 89, passed away Monday, April 21, 2025, at Freedom Village Inn.
Bob was born in Wichert, Ill., on Aug. 31, 1935. He graduated from St. Anne High School in Illinois and earned a BA in Music from Hope College, where he also was captain of the basketball team. He went on to earn a Master of Music and a Doctor of Music Education from the University of Michigan.
Bob spent 33 years at Hope College, where he was a professor of music, department chair for 11 years, Orchestra and Symphonette director, and cello instructor. He took the Symphonette on many tours throughout the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe until retiring in 1999. He then served as visiting orchestra conductor at Calvin University for a year.
Faith was very important to Bob. He served on the consistory of Trinity Reformed Church in Kalamazoo and Fellowship Reformed Church in Holland, where he directed the choir for 18 years. Later, Bob and MaryAlice joined Third Reformed Church, where he played solos and served as a greeter. He passed on the love of the Lord to all his children.
Bob is survived by his wife of 67 years, MaryAlice; children, Julie (Dave) Hedges, Raymond (Mary), Mark (Chris), and Kyle; grandchildren, Erica (Matthew) Albertin, Jake (Bri) Hedges, Gavin, Lindsay, and Ella Ritsema; step-grandchildren, Marissa (Sean) Bowler and Hannah Lindstrom; six great-grandchildren; sister, Arlene (George) Muyskens; and brother, Ray (Joan) Ritsema.
Bob was predeceased by his parents, Albert and Susie Ritsema, sister, Nell Vriesman and her husband, Dick; in-laws, Ardale and Hazel Ferguson, Connie Klaasen and her husband, Don, and Revell Rayne.
Visitation will be Friday, May 2 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Dykstra Mulder Chapel, 188 W. 32nd St., Holland. A celebration of life will be held 12 noon on Saturday, May 3 at Third Reformed Church, 111 W. 13th St., Holland, followed by a luncheon.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Dr. Bob Ritsema Scholarship to be used for music students at Hope College. Please send a memorial to Hope College Philanthropy Services, PO Box 9000, Holland, MI 49422 or on-line at hope.edu/give-now.
The family would like to thank the staff at Freedom Village Inn, Gentiva Hospice, The Rev. Jim Neevel, and The Rev. Dr. Ryan Boes for their loving and dedicated care of Bob and our family.
Teresa Elliott, 65
Teresa L. Elliott, 65, of Hamilton, passed away on Friday, April 25, 2025.
Teresa was born in Holland. She retired from Gentex Corporation after 26 years of faithful employment. She enjoyed camping, traveling, music and Boy Scouts. Teresa also enjoyed arts and crafts. She sold her artwork at local shows and events.
She is survived by her husband, Richard Elliott; and son, Branden Otting.
A memorial gathering will be held later this spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America.
The Elliott family would like to thank Corewell Health Hospice for providing compassionate care and support.
Calvin Weener, 88
Calvin Weener, age 88, passed away on Thursday, April 24, 2025.
For Calvin, “life was an adventure”. He was a man of strong opinion, deep conviction, and unshakable faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was a lifelong member of Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church, a respected farmer in the area, and with his wife, Emily, regularly expressed their gifts of hospitality and generosity.
He is survived by his wife, Emily Weener; children, Vic and Kris Weener, Gene and LuAnn Weener, Kelly and Kristi Weener, Mitch and Pam Weener, Konni and Kent Bosman; 17 grandchildren; six stepchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; brothers, Norm and Paul Weener; sister, Mary VanOmmen; in-laws, Dick and Anita Bos, Nick and Pat Bos, and Betty VanderVeen; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.
Funeral services are 11 a.m. today at Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church, 4055 112th Ave. Holland, with Rev. Brady Mulder officiating. Burial will take place in Noordeloos Cemetery.
Michael Koop, 78
Michael Allen Koop, 78, of Holland, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Born and raised in Holland, Michael was a graduate of Holland High School. He served active duty in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, even volunteering for a second tour where he earned three Purple Hearts.
Michael worked as a machinist at Textron for many years. Outside of work, he found joy in fishing, photography, camping and traveling, often incorporating his love of the outdoors into cherished family memories. A passionate musician, he played the drums in a band called The Dimensions during the late 1960s, sharing his love for music with friends and family.
He is survived by his daughters, Wendy Koop and Karrie Koop; granddaughters, Marissa Andree and Olivia Andree; siblings, Daniel and Myra Koop, and Konnie Koop; as well as nieces and nephews. Michael was preceded in death by his parents, Del and June Koop; and his grandson, Cooper Andree.
A funeral service will take place at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 2, at the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. Visitation will be tonight from 6-8 p.m. at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be given to Wounded Warrior Project or Emanuel Hospice.
Makala Newhouse, 27
Makala Jean Newhouse, 27, of Zeeland, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 21, 2025.
Makala was born in Holland on June 17, 1997, the daughter of Daniel and Denise (LePoire) Newhouse. Makala attended Zeeland Christian School and Holland Christian High School, class of 2016. She was a member of Foundry Church.
Wherever Makala went it was filled with smiles, hugs, and caring greeting of friends. Special Olympics and Camp Sunshine were her favorite things. She was preceded in death by her grandfather, Donald Newhouse, in 2023, and her cousin, Nickolas Watson in 2001.
She is survived by her parents, Dan and Denise Newhouse; siblings, Bethanie and Adam Houtman (and their son Charles), Matthew Newhouse and Hannah Newhouse (Mitchell Arndt); grandparents, Marvin and Donna LePoire, and Laurie Newhouse; many aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family and friends.
A service to celebrate Makala’s life was held Saturday, April 26 at Foundry Church, 425 100th Ave., Zeeland. Interment was in Zeeland Cemetery (Felch Street).
Memorial contributions may be made to Camp Sunshine, Suite 6, 291 W. Lakewood Blvd., Holland, MI 49424.
Marvin Koomen, 88
Marvin Louis Koomen, 88, went to his heavenly home on Sunday, April 20, 2025, where he happily joined his wife of 62 years, Marilyn.
Marvin was born in Grand Rapids on Aug. 19, 1936. He grew up on a farm in Jamestown and his love of agriculture continued throughout his life. When his father Allie passed away suddenly, Marvin went to school, worked at the Chevrolet Garage and maintained the family farm. Marvin attended Hudsonville Schools for most of his education and graduated from Zeeland High School.
Marvin worked in many areas of employment, including construction, boat building, truck driving and food processing. His favorite job was a school bus driver for Zeeland Public Schools. Great enjoyment came from having his own grandchildren as his passengers. Marvin was an active member of North Holland Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon and elder.
Marvin is survived by his children, Vicky (Larry) Vander Kolk, Mark (Tami) Koomen, Pam (Lonnie) Hop, Tim (Cara) Koomen, Mike (Darlene) Koomen and Greg Koomen; 16 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.
Marvin was preceded in death by his granddaughter, Amanda Westhouse.
A funeral service was held Thursday, April 24 at North Holland Reformed Church, 12050 New Holland St., Holland.
Mark Sterken, 66
Mark Sterken, 66, of West Olive, passed away on Saturday, April 19, 2025.
Mark was born in Zeeland and graduated from Zeeland High School. He had a successful career in trucking, working at Consolidated Freight, Louis Padnos and retiring from Seasonal Transportation.
His many hobbies included riding his motorcycle, attending motorcycle rallies, going to car shows, being outdoors, hunting and most importantly, spending time with family.
Mark is preceded in death by his parents, Wilson and Cora Sterken; father-in-law, Norman Walker; sister and brother-in-law, Alynn and Glenn Boers; and sister-in-law, Dawn Sterken.
He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Guylene Sterken; children and grandchildren, Alicia and Randy Tubergen (Tony), Melissa and Chad Walters (Matthew and Makiah), Ashleigh and Brandon Rogers (Logan, Zayden, Raena and Nova) and Samantha Sterken (Finley and Opal); five great-grandchildren; siblings, Greg Sterken Sr., Wilson Sterken Jr., and Cheryl and Gary Bazan; and many nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held Thursday, April 24 at Dykstra Funeral Homes Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave., Holland.
