Carol Anderson Dirkse's Obituary
Carol Anderson Dirkse, 88, faithful follower of Jesus Christ, passed into the arms of Jesus, her Lord and Savior on October 17, 2025. She was born January 31, 1937 to James and Henrietta Poel of Grand Haven, Michigan. She attended Grand Haven Christian School, Western Michigan Christian High School, and Calvin University. After receiving a teaching degree, she taught at Muskegon Christian School and Reeths-Puffer Elementary. Carol was preceded in death by her first husband, Lawrence Anderson, Jr. in 1997 and her second husband, Howard Dirkse in 2021. She will be dearly missed by her children, Valerie Offringa and Rochelle (James) Boer. She will be remembered as a caring and praying grandma to Kayleen (Molly), Steve (Andrea), Ben (Jake), Kyle (Natalie), Austen, Spencer (Mary Brooke), and Ellery. She was the proud great-grandma to Leo, Amos, and Roman.
Faith brought great joy to Carol, driving her desire to impact her “square inch” (A. Kuyper) through her teaching, playing organ for numerous worship services at Allen Avenue CRC, serving as deacon, serving on several church committees, volunteering in schools after retirement including Zuni Christian Mission School, and passing on the faith to her daughters (One generation will commend your works to another. Ps. 145:4).
Carol was a social butterfly and rarely talked to an individual she couldn’t find some connection with. She was full of energy and life and found joy in scrapbooking, playing piano, baking treats and goodies, and spending time with family.
We are all the better and thankful for having her in our lives. Visitation will be at The VanZantwick Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 620 Washington Avenue, Grand Haven, MI 49417 on Monday, October 27 from 4-7 PM. There will be a Celebration of Life for Carol on Tuesday, October 28 at 11:00 at Second CRC in Grand Haven. Contributions in memory of Carol may be made to Grand Haven Christian School.
Share memories with Carol’s family online at https://www.sytsemafh.com
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