Norma Buter, 90
Norma Jean Buter, 90, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
She was born Sept. 11, 1934, in Holland to Henry John and Johanna (Keen) Buter. Her parents preceded her in death, as well as her brothers, Ron and Ken Buter. She is survived by her sisters, Judy and Bob Lohr, and Linda and Cal Timmer; sisters-in-law, Ruth Buter and Mary Buter; and many nieces and nephews.
A service to honor Norma’s faith and life will be held at noon today at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. A light luncheon will immediately follow the service. A graveside ceremony will follow at Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Norma was one of the oldest members of Providence Christian Reformed Church. Norma’s family would like to thank Rev. Hutt for his faithful visits over many years. They are also grateful for the staff at Riverside Nursing Center for their support and care, especially Cindy who was a good friend to Norma.
Memorial contributions may be made to Providence Christian Reformed Church Global Missions Fund.
Richard Hemwall, 87
Richard “Buzz” Hemwall, 87, passed away on Sunday, May 18, 2025.
He was born in Oak Park, Ill. to George Hemwall and Gertrude Jones Hemwall, and grew up in Holland. He was a graduate of Holland High School, class of 1955, and graduated from Kalamazoo College with a B.A. in music education and the University of Arizona with an M.M.Ed.
Buzz was a secondary school music educator and band director for 37 years in Michigan and Arizona. His Sahuarita, Ariz. high school band was invited to play at Disneyland and the Fiesta Bowl. He was a member of the Holland American Legion Band and Zeeland Community Band.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Elizabeth Hames Hemwall; his son, Daniel Hemwall; and sister, Toddy Van Wieren.
He is survived by his wife, Judith, of Holland; children, Margie (Del) Brewer of Sahuirita, Ariz., Drew Hemwall of Placentia, Calif. and Amy (Rodger) Burrow of Mansfield, Texas; granddaughters, Camryn, Jayna, Faye, and Kiera; brother, Alan Hemwall, of Monroe; and several nieces and nephews.
Private inurnment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Saugatuck. The family wishes to thank the staff at Golden Orchards and Hospice of Holland for their excellent care and oversight.
Louis Kraay, 97
Louis Paul Kraay, 97, went to be with his Heavenly Father on Friday, May 16, 2025.
The call to ministry came to Louis as a young man on the family farm in Danforth, Ill. His parents, Oliver and Angelene, with great joy, gave their blessing to their youngest son to pursue his calling. He attended Hope College, graduating in 1950.
While at Hope he met his future wife, Margaret Schoonveld. After graduating from Hope, Louis began a three-year mission trip to Japan to teach English and share God’s love.
Upon returning, Louis and Margaret married in 1953. Nancy was born while Louis studied at Western Theological Seminary, graduating in 1956. Their ministry began at Trinity Reformed Church in Taylor where Linda, Kevin and Karen completed the family.
In 1961 Louis was called to a church plant in Marshall. In 1966 Louis began serving at Beaverdam Reformed Church in Zeeland Township, where he pastored until 1987. He later served as calling pastor to Fellowship Reformed Church in Hudsonville and First Reformed Church in Grand Haven, retiring in 2005.
Louis loved his congregations with grace, humility and a deep love for people and God’s word. He evidenced this same deep commitment and love as he faithfully cared for Margaret in her battle with ALS. They were married for 52 years until her death. Louis later married Ruth Larkin, and they spent 20 beautiful years together.
Louis is survived by his wife, Ruth; children, Nancy (Gary) Driesenga, Linda (Lou) Zadow, Kevin (Patricia) Kraay and Karen Kalkman; 11 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, Tricia (Scott) Behmlander and Dave (Jacque) Larkin. Louis was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, and son-in-law, Jack Kalkman.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. today at Fellowship Reformed Church, 6610 36th Ave., Hudsonville. Family burial will take place prior to the service in Beaverdam Cemetery.
Gifts to remember and honor Louis may be given to the ALS Foundation, 1300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22209, or at als.org.
Travis Gofourth, 19
Travis Gofourth, 19, of Holland, went home to be with the Lord on May 10, 2025.
Though his time was far too brief, his presence left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him. Travis was full of life, love, and laughter. He had a smile that could light up a room and a heart that made others feel seen and valued. He loved playing basketball, video games and spending time with his family.
Travis was preceded in death by his beloved grandmothers, Rita and Pot; and mother, Amanda.
He is survived by his father, Brian Gofourth; siblings, Kasara (Rob) Arispe, Dezzy (Marcus) Cooper, Mariah (Tony) Gofourth, Tailynn (Tyler) Gofourth, Kamryn Gofourth and Kevin Stevens; and a host of nieces, nephews, and extended family.
A celebration of life will be held at 4 p.m. today at Moran Park Church, 97 W. 22nd St., Holland, with Pastor Dave Roberts officiating.
Memorial contributions may be given to Restoration Church, P.O. Box 423, Zeeland, MI 49464.
Dale Van Der Kolk, 91
Dale Van Der Kolk, 91, of Zeeland, passed away on Friday, May 16, 2025.
Born on Oct. 13, 1933, in his parents’ farmhouse in Allegan County, Dale lived a remarkable life that began in that humble home without electricity or running water.
Dale served in the U.S. Coast Guard. After his discharge in 1956, he met the love of his life, Judy Fischer. Together they nurtured a loving family, raising six children. Although he could be headstrong, he also had an endearing wry sense of humor and a willingness to accept and love others.
Dale is survived by his wife of 68 years, Judy Van Der Kolk; children, Cindy and Scott Sharp, Kevin and Joy Van Der Kolk, Cheryl Horn, Melissa (Steenwyk) Van Der Kolk, James and Michelle Van Der Kolk; 15 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Dale was preceded in death by his daughter, Christine Sue Rozema; his parents, five brothers and two sisters.
A funeral service was held Wednesday, May 21 at Forest Grove Reformed Church, 1630 32nd Ave., Hudsonville. Memorial contributions may be given to Faith Hospice.
Marilyn Essenburg, 82
Marilyn Kay Essenburg, 82, passed away on Wednesday, May 14, 2025.
Marilyn was born on Jan. 4, 1943. She graduated salutatorian from South Christian High School. She went on to the University of Michigan where she earned a B.S. degree in nursing.
Marilyn married Arnold Essenburg in 1965. She spent much of her time serving in various ministries at Ann Arbor Christian Reformed Church, Coffee Break children’s ministries, children’s programs at church and local schools.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Arnold Essenburg; granddaughter, Meredith Rose Essenburg; parents, Marvin and Celia Apol; in-laws, Jerry Essenburg, Bern Mulder, Glady Essenburg, Carol Essenburg and Evelyn Van Ingen.
She is survived by her children, Ed and Barb Essenburg, Merwyn and Wendy Essenburg, Alvin and Kimberly Essenburg; nine grandchildren; brothers, Marvin and Karen Apol, Ron and Jan Apol, Ruth Mulder and Bill Coffman; in-laws, Robert Essenburg, Milton Essenburg, Donald and Lois Essenburg, Richard Essenburg, Clifford and Julie Essenburg, Janice Essenburg, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services were held Monday, May 19 at LifeChange Community Church, 3014 Newell St., Burnips. Burial was in Borculo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions in Marilyn’s honor may be given to Faith Hospice at faithhospicecare.org/donate/#make-donation.
Connor Lotterman, 19
Connor Steven Lotterman, 19, of Tallmadge Township, entered his Heavenly Home in God’s perfect plan Saturday, May 10, 2025, following a tragic accident on Friday, May 9.
Connor was born in Grand Rapids on May 13, 2005, to Steve and Maria (Kleyn) Lotterman. He was the youngest of five children. Connor graduated from Covenant Christian High School in 2023. He was an engineering student at Grand Valley State University.
He will be lovingly remembered by his parents, Steve and Maria Lotterman; siblings, Davinia and Joel Peterson (Vivi and Asa), Kristen and Nathan Westra (Auden), Marielle Lotterman, Brett and Sydney Lotterman; grandparents, Nick and Ina Kleyn; his very dear girlfriend of three years, Rae Brummel; many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family/friends, and the Lotterman’s beloved church family at Grace Protestant Reformed Church.
Connor was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Don and Berdina Lotterman.
A funeral service was held Saturday, May 17 at Grace Protestant Reformed Church, O-11225 8th Ave., Grand Rapids. Private family committal service and interment was in Rosedale Memorial Park.
Memorial donations in Connor’s memory are suggested to Gift of Life Michigan. Arrangements were by Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Brian Dykstra, 59
Brian Dykstra, 59, of Zeeland, passed away unexpectedly and entered into God’s glory on Friday, May 9, 2025.
Brian graduated from Zeeland High School and began his career at Prince Corporation before going on to become a brilliant self-made engineer and launch his own business, Solution Tool. He served on the boards of Zeeland Board of Public Works and Holiday Haven on the north shore of Lake Macatawa, where he cherished summer days with family and friends.
Brian was preceded in death by his father, Garry Dykstra, in 2005.
He is survived by his children and grandchildren, Brandon and Carley Dykstra (with Eden and a second grandchild on the way), and Brittany Dykstra and her fiancé Jonathan Tonks; mother, Connie Dykstra; siblings, Michelle and Tom Grabill, and Rusty and Lori Dykstra; his former wife, Kim and Paul Scholten; in-laws, Frank and Sally Visser; sisters- and brothers-in-law, Michelle and Kurt Dykema, and Todd and Kristi Visser.
A celebration of life service was held Thursday, May 15 at First Reformed Church, 125 E. Lincoln Ave., Zeeland.
Memorial contributions may be made to CranHill Ranch, a Christian camp and retreat center, or CHAMP, an organization providing respite care and support to families facing childhood cancer.
Peter DeHaan, 95
Peter J. DeHaan, 95, passed away in the presence of family on Friday, May 9.
Pete was born on March 14, 1930 in Holland to Gerrit and Elizabeth DeHaan. Pete was a strong yet tenderhearted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He was a member of South Olive Christian Reformed Church.
Pete enlisted in the Navy at the age of 19 and served on an aircraft carrier during the Korean War from June 1949 to April 1953. He married his wife, Marcia, on Aug. 13, 1954.
Pete worked for Michigan Bell Telephone Company for 30 years and retired from there in 1984. For 30 years after retirement, he worked part time delivering buses and motor homes across the country for Holland Motor Homes. He officially retired at the age of 85.
Pete is proceeded in death by his wife, Marcia; parents, Gerrit and Elizabeth DeHaan; and his son-in-law Robert Bonczyk. He is survived by his children, Michael (Kris) DeHaan, Marc (Darlene) DeHaan and Michelle Bonczyk; six grandchildren and their spouses; eight great-grandchildren; and older brother, Gary (Connie) DeHaan.
A service to celebrate Pete was held on Friday, May 16 at Langeland-Sternberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. Burial with military honors was held in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to South Olive CRC or Hospice of Holland, who lovingly cared for Pete and supported the family during the last month of his life.
