Kevin Riemersma, 60
Kevin Paul Riemersma, 60, of Zeeland, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.
Kevin grew up in Zeeland and spent most of his life here. From a young age Kevin’s family could see how hard-working and dedicated he was when he started working at the age of 15. Not long after that,
Kevin found his calling driving for numerous companies. During his tenure Kevin even managed to earn his 1-million-mile safety badge before ending his time at Grassmid Transportation in Zeeland.
Kevin was preceded in death by his mother, Violet; his father, Paul; and by his stepnieces, Valerie and Brooke Polinskey.
Kevin is survived by his sisters, Vicky Pluister and Cindy (Arlyn) Ritsema and their children, Jamie and Kyle as well as Jamie’s daughter Katlyn, Deb Riemersma (Garry Polinskey) and grandson Izaak, Missy (Rick) Eustice and their children Sydney, Tristin, and Payton; and by his brother Greg (Patty) Riemersma and their children, Alex (Cody) Meeuwsen, Audrey Riemersma, and Alysha (Dillon) Ruthven and their children: Brynlee and Beckham.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, Sept. 27 at 11 a.m. at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland. Visitation will be one hour before the service at 10 a.m.
Adele Mulder, 90
A beautiful and faithful witness of the goodness of God, Adele Mulder finished her journey on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025 at the age of 90.
Originally from Nordhorn, Grafschaft Bentheim, Germany, Adele, along with her parents and her younger brother Henry, traveled across the Atlantic on the S.S. Italia in January 1954. Adele was 19. Henry was 9. With the help of relatives and a sponsor in Holland, the family found work.
Adele began sewing shoes in the factory and as her English skills improved, she was able to secure a sales position at S.S. Kresge on 8th Street. From there she found a clerical position at Baker Furniture on 24th Street and eventually moved on to do clerical work in the Holland Police Department. When the State of Michigan decided to open an office in Holland, she became one of their first employees.
Adele attended Central Wesleyan Church and had fun singing in the choir and being a greeter in her retirement.
Adele is survived by her two daughters and their husbands, Debby and Jim Nyhof and Brenda and Norm Bell; her brother and his wife, Henry and Debbie Holthuis; grandchildren, Bryan (Brandi) Nyhof, Rob (Jen) Nyhof, Danae (Elliot) Trunnell, Stephan (Elizabeth) Bell, Steph (Tyler) Hannah, Philip (Ashley) Bell, and Juli (Mike) DeKuiper; and 17 great-grandchildren.
Adele was preceded in death by her husband of 52 years, Gunter Mulder; their little son, Bryan Mulder; her mother and father, Fenna (Handlöchten) and Hindrik Holthuis; brothers, Friedrich and Heinie Holthuis; and sisters, Minnie Quakkelaar and Jeanette Olbrich.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27, in the chapel at Central Wesleyan Church, 446 W. 40th St., Holland. (please use entrances G and D). Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. A time of fellowship and visiting will follow the service.
Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Holland.
Joan Strabbing, 92
Joan Strabbing (nee Vanden Brink), 92, passed away peacefully to her heavenly home, surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025.
Joan was born in Holland on Nov. 4, 1932. She worked in the Holland area as an office receptionist for multiple doctors and her church while raising her five children. She was very supportive of her children’s activities in the PTA, scouting and sports. She loved baking treats (pies); singing in the choir and card making. She was a member of Christ Memorial Church.
She is survived by her children, Joy Strabbing, Jack and Helen Strabbing, and Jerry “Putter” and Patricia Strabbing; son-in-law, Demetrio “Bob” Rosales; grandchildren, Justin Strabbing, Matthew and Jamie Strabbing, Tim and Cici Strabbing, Cameron and Lucy Strabbing, Lauren Mitchell, Jeremy and Amy Strabbing, John Strabbing II, Jordan and Heather Strabbing, Ryan and Jessica Strabbing, Kyle Strabbing, David and Carrie Mantey, Brian and Cyndi Mantey, and Doug and Lindsey Mantey; 14 great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law, Carol Kolk, Ona Strabbing, and Shirley Kendziorski; brother-in-law Roger Shoemaker; foster siblings, Robert Ver Hey and Helen J. De Waard; and many nieces and nephews.
Joan was preceded in death by her husband, Jerold L. Strabbing; and children, John and Lelah Strabbing, and Janice L. Rosales.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Sept. 24 at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland. Interment was in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be given to Christ Memorial Church.
Edith Peters, 90
Edith “Eydie” Peters, 90, of Zeeland, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, in the presence of her loving family.
Eydie was well-regarded for her adventurous spirit and compassionate nature, and she formed meaningful friendships throughout her life. An avid gardener, she was an active member of both the Iris and Day Lily societies. Her generosity extended to providing foster care to many youths in West Michigan, exemplifying her deep commitment to her community. She maintained strong ties to her church and family, offering daily prayers for their wellbeing.
She is survived by her sons, Curtis W. (Annette) of North Ogden, Utah, and Greg W. (Karen) of Alto; daughters, Lisa J. (Dan) Diedrich and Karen M., both of Holland; grandchildren, Simon G. of Ogden, Utah, Siohbvon (Chad) Hobson of Ogden, Utah, Rachel N. of Chicago, Ill., Lindsey N. of Salt Lake City, Utah, Mason T. of Alto, Ken Overway of Lansing, Carl Overway of Holland, Kourtney (Jameson) Heidenreich of Grand Rapids, Heather (Dan) Guerra of Holland and Victoria Willis of Holland; great-grandchildren Gavin, Martha, Alivia, Liam, Claire, Lincoln, Teagon, Harper; and great-great grandchild, Everly Parish.
She was predeceased by her parents, Mable and William Boerman; brothers, Floyd and Loren Boerman; and husbands Gary J. Peters and Zuke Eding.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Sept. 26, at 11 a.m. at New Life Fellowship Church, 12960 James St., Holland. Visitation will follow from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The family welcomes friends and extended family to join in commemorating Edith’s life and legacy.
Flowers can be sent to New Life Fellowship Church on Friday prior to the services.
Henrietta VanFleeren, 99
Henrietta VanFleeren, 99, passed peacefully into heaven on Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025.
She was born on Feb. 21, 1926, to Henry and Alice De Weerd in Holland and lived in the area all of her life. During World War II, she became a pen pal to Andrew Van Fleeren, and they married soon after the war ended. They celebrated 54 years of marriage prior to his passing in 2001.
Henrietta worked for many years in food service, with her last role at Hope College as the one she most enjoyed. She was always busy working on a sewing, knitting, or crocheting project for a family member or to donate to charity. She was a longtime member at Hardewyk Ministries.
She is survived by her son, John; daughters, Pam Van Fleeren, Sally (Bill) Jhung, and Diane (Ron) Hermann; grandchildren, Stephanie, Catherine, Rebecca, Alicia, and Ryan; and great-grandchildren, Elijah, Michaela, Hannah, Sarah, Isaiah, Eli, Ravenna, Micah, and Levi.
A funeral service will be held Friday, Sept. 26 at 2 p.m. at Dykstra Funeral Home - Northwood Chapel, 295 Douglas Ave., Holland, with visitation one hour prior to the service.
Betty Kroll, 82
Betty Kroll, 82, of Zeeland, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025.
Betty was a longtime member of North Street Christian Reformed Church.
She is survived by her husband of 63 years, Allyn; sons, Keith (Lori) Kroll, Kyle (Amy) Kroll and Kurt (Dani) Kroll; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Tyler and Caitlyn Kroll (Braelynn and Brixton), Morgan Kroll, Shawn and Megan Kroll (Harper), Ellisa Kroll, Emerson Kroll, and Aidan Kroll; and siblings, Phyllis Vruggink, Paul (Bev) Geurink, and Bruce (Tammy) Geurink.
Betty was preceded in death by grandsons, Zachary Kroll in 2015 and Keaton Kroll in 2019; and brother-in-law, Preston Vruggink.
The funeral service to honor the life of Betty was held Saturday, Sept. 20 at North Street Christian Reformed Church, 20 E. Main Ave., Zeeland. Interment was in Zeeland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Beautiful Gate Lesotho or Compassionate Heart Ministries.
Gladys Heyboer, 89
Gladys Mae Heyboer, 89, of Zeeland, passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025, surrounded by her family.
Born on June 28, 1936, in North Blendon, Gladys was a longtime member of Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church. She dedicated her life to prayer, service, and sharing the love of Christ with all those she encountered.
Her warmth and kindness were felt throughout her community, where she was known for her remarkable gift of knitting. She created countless blankets, and keepsakes, each one a cherished reminder of her devotion and care for her family and friends.
Gladys is survived by her children, Gayle and Ken Morse, Brenda and Michael Beyer, Gregory and Deborah Heyboer, Kimberly and Richard Vos, and Jeffrey and Karen Heyboer; 15 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren; and in-laws, Preston and Alma Heyboer, and Donna Canales.
Gladys was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Heyboer, in 2022; as well as by her siblings and their spouses.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church, 4055 112th Ave., Holland. Memorial contributions may be given to Zeeland Christian Schools or Corewell Hospice.
Carla Brower, 60
Carla Brower, 60, of Zeeland, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, Sept. 12, 2025, due to complications from early-onset Alzheimer’s dementia.
Born on Nov. 18, 1964, to Bill and Joan Jessick of Manistique, Carla was the youngest of four daughters. As kids, they fought like cats and dogs, but as adults, she was blessed to call them her friends.
In between the adventures and various shenanigans of high school, Carla participated in HOSA, where she fell in love with nursing. She was never afraid of a challenge and pursued her nursing license while balancing being a single parent. She became an LPN and cared deeply for her patients as a home health care and then a clinic triage nurse. Even when nursing was no longer her career, she never lost the drive to care for others.
Family was always central to Carla’s life. She met Kevin Brower in 1998; they married in 2002 and spent 23 years together at their home in Zeeland.
Together, they enjoyed traveling, rooting for their favorite teams (the Packers, Spartans, and all of the Detroit teams), and attending concerts. They also shared a strong faith and were members of Trinity Reformed Church in Holland.
Carla was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Joan Jessick; father-in-law, Harvey Brower; and sister, Mary Johnson.
She is survived by her husband, Kevin Brower of Zeeland; her mother-in-law, Jan Brower of Holland; daughters, Rachel (Jason) VanDenBrink of Allegan and Nicole James of Gaylord; and sisters, Cathy (Jim) Creighton of Manistique and Nancy (James) Means of Zeeland.
A memorial gathering will be held Saturday, Nov. 1 at Trinity Reformed Church, 712 Apple Ave., Holland, with visitation from 10 a.m. to 12 noon, a celebration of life at noon, and a luncheon to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Michigan Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association or Hospice of Holland.
