Justin Deters, 97
Justin Deters, 97, of Zeeland, passed away Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.
Justin grew up in East Saugatuck, one of 11 children. He was a member of Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church, where he served as a deacon.
Justin was a homebuilder and a union carpenter. In retirement, Justin and Joyce enjoyed spending their winters in Florida and summers at Gun Lake.
He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 75 years, Joyce (Venhuizen); children, Nancy and Jim Steenwyk, Laurie and David Sluiter, and Sally and Tom Scholten; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Brian and Kim Steenwyk (Regan, Reese, Reid), Katie and Paul Stewart (Zander, Gavin, Dylan), Aaron and Christa Steenwyk (Ashlynn, Zion), Andrew and Heidi Steenwyk (Breslin, Bodey, Crew), Jared Sluiter, Kylie and Ryan Wissner (Bowen, Clarke, August), Kyndra Sluiter, Cort and Kim Scholten (Hadley), Connor Scholten, and Chace Scholten; brother, Alvin Deters; and sisters-in-law, Norma De Jonge and Carol Vanden Bosch.
A private funeral service is planned. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be given to Samaritan’s Purse.
Laverne Bosch, 84
Laverne (Vern) Dale Bosch, age 84, of Zeeland, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025.
Vern devoted more than 30 years to his role in facilities at Prince Corporation, where his hard work and leadership left a lasting impact. A true family man, Vern cherished his wife Mary, and his children. He adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, always lighting up when they were around.
Vern was a man of deep faith, actively involved at Haven Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland, where he loved to sing praises to his Lord and Savior. Now, his family takes comfort imagining him joyfully singing, and finally in tune, with the heavenly choir.
Vern is survived by his wife of nearly 63 years, Mary Bosch; children, Kristi and Ken Lokker, and Kevin Bosch; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Kendra Lokker and Tanner Olvitt (Theodore and Ophelia), Kristopher Lokker and Kevin Lokker; brother, Edward and Judy Bosch; in-laws, Ken and Alma Vander Veen, John and Nancy Vander Veen, Kathy and Philip Gorter, and Ed Bricker.
Vern was preceded in death by his brother and sister-in-law, Bob and Joan Bosch; and in-laws, Henry and Linda Vander Veen, and Virginia Bricker.
A funeral service celebrating Vern’s faith and life will be at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, at Haven Christian Reformed Church, 541 Alice St., Zeeland. Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30 at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Memorial contributions may be given to support Vern’s grandson Kevin Lokker’s mission and discipleship work in Japan at give.big.life/campaign/651112/donate.
Elsie Bergstrom, 87
Elsie Louise (Thomas) Bergstrom, 87, passed away on the morning of Sunday, Oct. 19, 2025, following a stroke. She was surrounded by her loving family.
Elsie was born in Orange, N.J. and raised in Morris Plains, N.J. There, she met her future husband, Lennart, where they attended the same high school and church. She graduated from The Presbyterian School of Nursing in Newark.
Elsie was a registered nurse in New Jersey, working in a psychiatric hospital and later as a Tenafly High School nurse. After she and Len moved to Holland, and they raised their three daughters, she returned to nursing and served as director of nursing for an area nursing home.
Elsie was an active member of First Presbyterian Church of Holland, where she participated in a variety of activities including teaching Sunday School, Women’s Circle, Bible studies, serving as an elder and deacon, and leading a pastoral search committee. Her strong faith was evident throughout her life.
Elsie is survived by her daughters, Ellen (Todd) Engle, Diane Bergstrom (Steve) Johnson, and Karen Bergstrom (Brett Roach); grandchildren, Denis Engle, Lena Engle (Michael Wickemeyer), Rachael Johnson (Rahul Gogia), Claire Johnson, Maegan Johnson (Wyatt Schwanbeck), Lauren Roach and Evan (Mikaela) Roach; great-grandchildren Bo and Elsie Roach; brother, Al (Judy) Thomas of Denver, Colo.; niece, Lorie (Matt) Helms of Denver, Colo.; and nephew, Steven (Stephanie) Thomas of Norfolk, Va. Her husband, Lennart, preceded her in death in 2012.
A memorial service will be Saturday, Oct. 25, 11 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 659 State St., Holland, with Rev. Cathy Hoop officiating. A private interment will be at a later date. Visitation will be tonight from 5 to 8 p.m. at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.
Donations may be made in Elsie’s name to Community Action House or Feeding America West Michigan.
Robbie Stephens, 62
Robbie Jean Stephens, 62, of West Olive, passed away on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.
To know Robbie was to be loved deeply. For 62 amazing years, she loved fiercely. On Saturday, during the midst of her shift at Challenge Manufacturing, Robbie collapsed and stopped breathing. First responders and coworkers worked so hard to save her, but her earthly journey was cut short from a ruptured aneurysm and heart attack.
Born on Feb. 19, 1963 and raised in the greater Holland area, Robbie was proud to be from a large family of six. She was incredibly loyal to her family and her loyalty only grew once she became a mom and eventually her favorite title of grandma. If she wasn’t with her family, she was cheering for her favorites in NASCAR. She spent many weekends rooting for Bill Elliott or Dale Earnhardt.
She is survived by her daughter, Stephanie; grandchildren, Landyn and Leilani; brothers, Tim, Lloyd, Luis and Jerry; and sister, Mary.
Funeral services were held Wednesday, Oct. 22 at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James St., Holland.
Walter Van Asselt, 87
Walter “Walt” Van Asselt, 87, formerly of Zeeland, a respected public administrator and devoted family man, died peacefully Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, at his home in Gladstone, Mo.
Born in Zeeland, Walt graduated from Zeeland High School and the University of Michigan (B.A., J.D.) and later earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Kansas.
Walt’s career reflected a lifelong commitment to public service: assistant city manager of Kansas City, Mo.; 12 years as Clay County’s (Mo.) first professional county administrator; director at the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority; and Finance Director for Jackson County, Mo. He also worked in family businesses and later served as business manager at McAnany, Van Cleave & Phillips in Kansas City, Kan., before retiring in 2007.
Known to family and friends as “Mick,” a childhood nickname from his grandmother, he was a devoted father and proud grandfather. Curious and well-read — especially in history — he loved beginning conversations with “I just found out…” A loyal University of Michigan fan and lifelong Detroit Tigers supporter, he was known for his optimism and humor: “There is always another time.”
In retirement, Walt enjoyed carving wooden ducks, crafting stained glass, baking bread, preparing Dutch recipes, and researching his ancestry, which led him on two memorable trips to the Netherlands.
Walt will be remembered for his intelligence, kindness, and wit. He is survived by his sons, Dirck (Maureen), Robb (Kate), John, and Bill (Gwen); brother, Karl; and grandchildren Flynn, Carlin, Henry, Liam, Maeve, Maille, Isabella, Jacob, Willem, and Alyda. He was predeceased by his parents, Alyda and Walter; and his brother, Dave.
A private burial will take place at Zeeland Cemetery this summer.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice (kchospice. org).
Carl Everts, 89
Henry Carl Everts, 89, of Zeeland, passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. His wife, daughter, and son-in-law were by his side.
Carl was born in Zeeland on May 6, 1936, to Clarence and Berdeane (Roels) Everts. Carl attended Zeeland Schools and their family were members of First Reformed Church. He started his career-long woodworking job at Bennett Wood Specialties, and he retired from the business 50 years later.
Following the Korean conflict Carl served his country in the U.S. Army in 1958-1959 and was deployed to the Demilitarized Zone. He met the love of his life, Shirley Berens, and they married in 1970, raising their two children in Zeeland.
After retirement, Carl and Shirley volunteered for ten years at Bibles for Mexico. They are currently members of Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church. He enjoyed camping, gardening, caring for his yard, keeping his vehicles clean, and spending time with his family and granddaughters. Carl demonstrated his love for his family by helping them in any way he was able.
He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Shirley; their children and grandchildren, Carla and Mark Zeinstra (Josie Zeinstra and fiance Logan Vannette, Payton Zeinstra), Corey and Stephanie Everts (Kaydence Everts, Bennett Everts); sister-in-law, Gloria Everts; nephews, David Everts and John Everts; sisters-in-law, Grace Lankheet and Harriet Johnson; and many extended family members.
A funeral service with military honors was held Tuesday, Oct. 21 at Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church, 4055 112th Ave., Holland. Interment was in Zeeland (Felch Street) Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Borculo Christian School.
Alleen Carson, 81
Alleen Carson, 81, of Holland, died on Friday, Oct. 10, 2025, surrounded by her family following a quiet but brave fight against an aggressive cancer.
Alleen was born in Detroit on June 25, 1944, to Alfred and Kathleen Trongo, both of whom preceded her in death. She attended Our Lady Gate of Heaven Grammar School, then attended Rosary High School, graduating in 1962. She attended Henry Ford Community College.
Her first professional position was as a customer service representative at Consumers Energy. Through mutual friends she met the love of her life, Carl Carson, in 1964, and they were married in 1967. Carl worked for American Airlines at the time, and the two traveled extensively.
In 1972 following a career change by Carl, Alleen and Carl moved to Belding, where they joined the local. In 1974, they built a home in neighboring Greenville. They started their family with their first son, James, born in 1975, and then four years later welcomed their second son, Robert. The family moved to Holland in 1984.
It is in this tight-knit Holland Heights neighborhood that Carl and Alleen would make their permanent home and raise their boys. Alleen first was employed at the March of Dimes, and then would find her true passion as a reading specialist with the Holland Public Schools, spending most of her teaching career at Holland Heights Elementary School.
Her passion for teaching, was an extension of her desire to help others, particularly children. She spent a life of servitude to her community, volunteering at various events, programs and activities across the Holland area.
Alleen was preceded in death by her husband, Carl Carson, in 1998. Her devotion to her family was only further solidified through the support, strength and care she afforded her family following her husband’s death.
Alleen is survived by her children, Jim and Megan Carson, and Rob and Charity Carson; grandchildren, Kate, Olivia, Karah and Ethan; sister, Karen Zaleski; and Karen’s daughter and son-in-law, Melanie and Brandon Spence.
A celebration of life is planned for Friday, Oct. 24, at Dykstra Funeral Home – Mulder Chapel, 188 32nd St., Holland. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. with an 11 a.m. service to follow, with a lunch immediately after the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Holland Heights Elementary School Teachers Fund, to help provide funds for students’ school supplies.
