Nettie "Alma" Steendam's Obituary
Nettie "Alma" Steendam, age 97, passed away March 28, 2018 at the Poppen Residence. She was born on July 4, 1920 to John and Mary (Harlass) Higginbotham in Boissevain, VA. Alma has been a member of Bethany Church, in Muskegon, since 1945. She served her country with the US Navy WAVES during WWII working at the White House helping to decipher German and Japanese code. She worked 30 years at United Way and retired as the office manager in Muskegon. Later in life Alma did extensive traveling, with her sisters, which she truly loved. On November 4, 1944 she married Judge Harold "Jake" Steendam and he preceded her in death in 1983. SURVIVORS include 2 children, Dennis (Denise) Steendam and Sharon (Michael) Skodack; 5 grandchildren, Chad Steendam, Jill (Jason) MacClaren, Jeff (Quinn) Steendam; Joshua (Bernadette) Skodack and Jennifer (Joseph) Pleva; 5 great-grandchildren; brother, Jack Higginbotham and sisters, Shirley Robertson and Freda Cameron. She was also preceded in death by her parents; brothers and sisters Cosby Watson, Bernard, Roger, John and Bill Higginbotham; and Joyce Nicolas. A FUNERAL SERVICE will be held for Alma at 2:00PM on Tuesday, April 3, 2018 at The Lee Chapel, 6291 S. Harvey St., 231-798-1100 with Rev. John DeBoer officiating. VISITATION with the family will be one-hour prior to the service. MEMORIALS may be directed to Bethany Church or Harbor Hospice Foundation. Interment will take place at Evergreen Cemetery.
What’s your fondest memory of Nettie?
What’s a lesson you learned from Nettie?
Share a story where Nettie's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Nettie you’ll never forget.
How did Nettie make you smile?
