Mrs. Helen K. Sytsema's Obituary
Mrs. Helen Kathryn Sytsema, age 99, went to be with her Lord on Monday morning, January 19, 2015 at Hackley Hospital. She was born May 30, 1915 in Muskegon to James and Grace (Kroeze) Hoebeke; and has been a life resident of the area. On May 17, 1946 she married Martin A. Sytsema and together they owned and operated Sytsema Funeral Homes and Sytsema Ambulance Service for many years. Helen was a homemaker and a prayer-warrior for her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. She enjoyed crocheting, crossword puzzles, church activities and her family. She was a member of Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mart on September 6, 1987; grandson, Paul Robert Sytsema on November 1, 2012, and 2 brothers: George and Henry Hoebeke. Helen was dearly loved and will be deeply missed by her 3 children: Bob and Mary, John and Sue, all of Norton Shores, and Marilyn and Manuel Solorio of Lodi, CA; 9 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren: Marty & Heidi Sytsema and children James, Anna and Grace; Stephanie Sytsema and her and Paul’s daughters Ella and Maggie; Sarah & Andy Kanaar and children Abby and Riley; Kathryn & Victor Tituson; Scott & Rebecca Sytsema and children Zoe, Sydney and Owen; Todd & Nancy Sytsema and children Drew, Ryan and Greta Helen; Craig & Jennifer Sytsema and daughters Madelyn, Emma and Lyla; and Andrew and Mark Solorio; a sister, Kay Heeres Tanis of Muskegon; and by several nieces and nephews. FUNERAL SERVICES will be held 3:00 PM Friday, January 23, 2015 at Allen Avenue Christian Reformed Church (695 Allen Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442) with Pastor Tom Pettinga officiating. Burial will be in Restlawn Cemetery. VISITATION with Helen’s family will be 5-8:00 PM Thursday at The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral Homes, Inc., 737 Apple Avenue, Muskegon, MI 49442 (231-726-5210). As an expression of sympathy you are asked to consider a great-grandchild’s school: Muskegon Christian, Grand Haven Christian, Grandville Christian, or Western Michigan Christian High School.
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