Obituary of Marvella Kreykes
Marvella Woltjer, 65, of Grand Rapids, MI, formerly of Orange City, died Sunday Oct. 2, in a Grand Rapids hospital. Memorial services were at Plymouth Heights Christian Reformed Church and burial was in Blaine Cemetery.The former Marvella Kreykes was born July 21, 1929, in Hospers, the daughter of John and Martina (Reinsma) Kreykes. As a child she moved with her parents to Orange City, where she graduated from Orange City Chritian School, Western Christian High and Calvin College. She married John Woltjer August 21, 1953. They lived in Grand Rapids all 41 years of their married life. She dedicated her professional life to Christian education, teaching in Edgerton, MN. and in Cutlerville, Baxter and Kelloggsville Christian schools in MI.
Survivors include her husband; five children, Ron and Cindee Woltjer, Mary and Tom Van Wingerden, Ruth and Evan Elenbaas, Laura and Tom Jager and Ted Woltjer; a brother and his wife, Don and Carol Kreykes; brothers-in-law; sisters in-law; and 11 grandchildren.
Obituary of John Woltjer
John Woltjer, beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend peacefully entered his heavenly and holy eternal home on October 18, 2015. John was born in Westerbork, Netherlands to Harm and Marie M. Woltjer.John will be remembered for his compassionate spirit, his gentle ways with all of God's creation, and as a champion for the needy. John was an avid reader and an innovative "putterer." He was longsuffering and resilient through the storms and struggles of World War II and in his early years as an immigrant in the U.S.A. John's firm Christian faith was his anchor in all of life's journeys and also in his passing into glory.
John is survived by his children, Ron and Cindee Woltjer, Mary and Tom VanWingerden, Ruth and Evan Elenbaas, Laura and Tom Jager, Ted Woltjer and Lisa Corrigan; his grandchildren, David Woltjer, Kelly Woltjer, Erin (Scott) DeYoung, Sarah (Justin) Bratt, Tim (Rachel) VanWingerden, Alyssa (Dave DeMaagd), Mark (Abby) Elenbaas, Julie (Troy) Tamminga, John Elenbaas, Nate (Rachel) Jager, and Mitchell Jager; his great grandchildren, Samuel, John, and Luke DeYoung, Joel DeMaagd, and Lydia Elenbaas. He is also survived by his loving sister Cathy VanDyk and his brothers and sisters in-law, Marielouise Woltjer, Marge Woltjer, John and Tina VanderHelm, Don and Coral Kreykes, and by many nieces, nephews and dear friends.
John was preceded in death by Marvella Woltjer, his faithful, loving wife and best friend of 42 years and by Dorothy Brock Woltjer, his loving wife of 16 years, his dear grandson, Grant Jager, his brothers and sisters, Ted Woltjer, Ann VanderHelm, Jim Woltjer, Trace Prins, and his brothers and sisters in law, Hank Prins and Al VanDyk.
A memorial service will be held in the Friendship Room at Raybrook Manor (2121 Raybrook St. SE) on Sunday, Nov. 8. at 10:00 AM
Obituary of Dorothy Katherine Pumpelly
Dorothy Katherine Woltjer, age 85, after a courageous battle with cancer passed into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Dorothy was born on March 16, 1926 in Moscow, Ohio. Dorothy was a member of New Life Reformed Church. She lived all of her a life as God's child and image bearer. Her happy attitude and servant hearted approach toward each day were a blessing to many.Dorothy was married to and preceded in death by her husband, Lester Brock; by grandchildren, Matthew Parolari and Grant Jager; and by sisters, Myrle King and Gladys Collier.
Dorothy will be deeply missed by her husband, John Woltjer; her children, Lewis Brock, Helen and Bill Hertdner, Emily and Bill Parolari; stepchildren, Ron and Cindee Woltjer, Mary and Tom VanWingerden, Ruth and Evan Elenbaas, Laura and Tom Jager, Ted and Lisa Woltjer; 20 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; her sisters, Lola Sons, Helen Fisher, Mary Beckelhymer; several brothers and sisters-in-law, and many nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at New Life Reformed Church during the 9:30 a.m. Sunday worship service.
Donald Kreykes, age 87, passed away on Sunday, May 12, 2019.
He leaves on this earth his wife, Coral; his children Cheryl and Michael Brandsen, Barbara and Robert De Vries, Jon and Michele Kreykes, James and Katrina Kreykes; his grandchildren Laura, Benjamin (Christa), Robert (Jackie), Jillann, Katherine, Holly (Caleb), Daniel (Ashley), Janelle, Miriam; and great-grandchildren Caroline Brandsen, Alayah Toliver, and Abby, Betsy, Maggie, and Bobby De Vries.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John and Martina Kreykes; his sister Marvella and brother-in-law John Woltjer; father-in-law John and mother in-law Jenny Havemen; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Don was born in Hospers, Iowa in 1931 and lived in and around Orange City, Iowa for the first 20 years of his life. After serving for two years in the army, he married Coral in 1955 and moved to Grand Rapids, MI.
Don worked for Corduroy Rubber, Kelvinator, and Kenowa Hills school district. After retiring, Don volunteered for many years at both Meals on Wheels and New 2 You thrift shop for the Grand Rapids Christian schools. Don loved God and loved his family, and they loved him. He was a faithful member of Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church for nearly 60 years, serving terms as both elder and deacon. A quiet and unassuming man, Don lived with deep joy and contentment, knowing his only comfort in life and in death was that he was not his own, but belonged, body and soul, in life and in death, to his faithful Savior, Jesus Christ. Because Don knew he belonged to Jesus, Don died with full assurance of knowing he will live with Jesus.
A memorial service to celebrate God's faithfulness in Don's life will be held at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton Street SE, Thursday, May 16, 11:00 a.m., with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Christian school of their choice.
Grand Rapids Press, The (MI) - Monday, May 13, 2019
Coral Kreykes, age 87, was welcomed to her heavenly home on Saturday, June
8, 2019.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald, just four weeks earlier; her parents John and Jennie Haveman; her brother Albert and sister Ruth; her father-in-law and mother-in-law John and Martina Kreykes; and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Coral was a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She is survived by her children, Cheryl and Michael Brandsen, Barbara and Robert De Vries, Jon and Michele Kreykes, James and Katrina Kreykes; her grandchildren Laura, Benjamin (Christa), Robert (Jackie), Jillann, Katherine, Holly (Caleb), Daniel (Ashley), Janelle, Miriam; and great-grandchildren, Caroline Brandsen, Alayah Toliver, and Abby, Betsy, Maggie, and Bobby DeVries, all of whom brought her much joy.
Coral graduated from Calvin College. She especially enjoyed singing The Messiah with the Calvin Oratorio Society. A teacher by training, Coral began her career at Baldwin Christian School and while raising her family, taught at several Grand Rapids Public Schools. She was faithful to her community as an educator, VBS instructor, and through her support of Oakdale Christian School.
She and Don would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on June 16. After retiring, they volunteered for many years at both Meals on Wheels and New 2 You thrift shop for the Grand Rapids Christian schools. They were members of Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church for nearly 60 years.
The family will receive guests at an informal coffee time on Saturday, June 15 from 10-11:30 AM at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton Street SE. A private burial and celebration of Coral’s life will follow at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Pastor Bob DeVries officiating.
Published by MKD FH 11 Jun 2019