Mrs. Virginia M. Zuidema's Obituary
Mrs. Virginia M. Zuidema, 85, went to be with her Lord and Savior on August 11, 2020 in Fremont, where she had lived for the past 4 years at Green Acres. She was born April 12, 1935 to Gerrit and Emily (Retsema) Vanderlaan in Muskegon, and lived for many years in Grand Rapids in the Calvin College community. She enjoyed supporting her husband and children, fixing meals for her family, friends, and different Calvin sports teams, and playing games with her children and grandchildren. She worked as a seamstress from her home doing alterations and sewing bridesmaid dresses. She loved knitting washcloths, caps, baby blankets, and afghans. She was a member of Shawnee Park Christian Reformed Church, including the woman’s groups and choir, and the Ladies Calvin Guild. She enjoyed being at the cottage and beach house, taking boat rides, walking the beach, and feeding the ducks. On June 7, 1957, she married Dr. Marvin A. Zuidema and he preceded her in death on June 18, 2011. Survivors include 3 children, Vonnie (Kent) Folkema, Roger (Tamara) Zuidema, Kevin (Maria) Zuidema; grandchildren, Kyle (Jessica) Folkema, Kara (Jacob) VandePol, Amber (Jacob) Bull, Lance (Alana) Zuidema, Ashley and Paige Zuidema, Annalise and Elena Zuidema; great-grandchildren, Anders, Ellis and Henning Folkema, Caroline, Ivy and Scarlet Bull, and Keegan Zuidema; siblings, Robert Vanderlaan, Ruth (James) Holstine, Doug (Jean) Vanderlaan, and Glenn (Marla) Vanderlaan. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her infant daughters Dawn and Barbara, her granddaughter Amanda Folkema, her sister-in-law Carol Vanderlaan, her husband’s parents, Albert and Minnie (Weesies) Zuidema, and brother-in-law and sister-in-law Jack and Ruth Kroeze. The family will be having a private graveside service at Restlawn Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Zuidema may be made to Western Michigan Christian High School/Middle School, 455 E. Ellis Rd., Norton Shores, MI 49441. Arrangements by The Sytsema Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 737 E. Apple Ave., Muskegon, MI 49442.
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