Mitchel Hausmann

Easygoing, genuine, and generous, Mitchel Ryan Hausmann lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. He was a cherished husband, father, son, brother, and friend who always had a smile on his face and was quick to recognize others' needs and interests. Though hard on himself, Mitch possessed an unwavering belief in the goodness of others and could talk to anyone, listening with sincere interest and compassion and making conversation easy. He loved animals, children, the outdoors, his family, and friends with all his heart, relishing every moment he was given. Though our days with him were far too few, every moment shared with Mitch is a gift we will long treasure.

The 1990’s were full of excitement, peace and prosperity and there was much to be hopeful about. Nowhere was there more hope than in the hearts and home of Ronald and Jill (Rottman) Hausmann as they welcomed their son Mitchel on November 8, 1990, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Growing up in Marne, Mitchel had a good childhood. His first and lifelong best friend was his sister Samantha, who was close in age and his biggest fan. An easy, good, and kind kid, Mitch loved being outside and playing with friends. Never one to be still, he and his friends were always out in the barn, playing sports in the yard, and riding atvs. From as early as preschool, Mitch made lifelong friendships.

An animal lover from the start, Mitch had a lot of animal friends growing up. From dogs and cats, to his pony Sassy, and his 4H pigs, Mitch loved them all and contributed to the necessary chores that came with caring for them. He learned to hunt and fish at an early age.

As a kid, Mitch attended Awana at Berlin Baptist Church, but the roots of his faith were established with his families longtime membership at Grace Christian Reformed Church. Mitch had cousins on both sides of his family and enjoyed seeing them all. He spent a lot of time with those who lived nearby. In the summers, the family spent as much time as they could at his grandparents' cottage on Lake Michigan.

Mitch attended Coopersville Area Public Schools from kindergarten through twelfth grade. While in high school, he played on the basketball team, and in the spring, he ran hurdles and high jumped for the track team. His junior and senior year he placed in the top 3 in the state in the 110 hurdles. He also worked as an assistant to the athletic director, setting up for and working various sporting events at the school. Including, doing score for his sister's volleyball games.

After graduating from high school, Mitch enrolled at Grand Rapids Community College, where he took child development classes and earned an associates degree. He was the only male in the class, but that didn't bother him. For a time, he worked at MVP Club in the Kids Care area. Following that he worked for several years at Kracker Greenhouse in Allendale, where he did whatever was asked of him.

When a group of friends that included Kate’s brother, Derek, introduced Mitch to Katelyn VanRoekel, he quickly caught her eye, but he was not so quick to pick up on that. Eventually, he would ask her out, and they enjoyed a Griffins Hockey game. They realized they had had classes together at GRCC, but never took notice of one another. The couple dated for a few years before marrying on September 18, 2020, at her church. Despite the pandemic, they were able to enjoy a wedding reception in Marne and a honeymoon in Traverse City.

As a couple, Mitch and Kate enjoyed going out to eat and loved trying new places. He particularly loved the Melting Pot, but also anywhere in town with Nashville Hot Chicken. He even kept a log of the various sandwiches in town. They enjoyed making their home together. When they were first married he worked at True Blue Farms and, most recently, worked for Elite Apple. He was dearly loved at each company and his coworkers loved him like their own family. He liked being hands-on and anything to do with agriculture.

Mitch was an outdoorsman who began fishing more, enjoying everything from participating in Bass tournaments with Ryan to late-night fishing adventures. He was always eager to fish with his friends Torey, Scott, Darrin, Greg and so many more. He also enjoyed watching birds with his daughter Payton and had birdfeeders in his yard he was happy to tend to. Mitch was very handy, and if there was something to fix that he didn't know anything about, he would watch videos to learn before confidently taking on the task.

Mitch loved kids, and when his sister had children, he visited and jumped right in with changing diapers and lovingly caring for his nieces. In 2022, Mitch was delighted to become a father when he and Kate welcomed their daughter Payton to their family. He was a wonderful dad who was excited to share all aspects of parenthood. He loved everything about being a dad and was always teaching her goofy things. He even taught her how to hold a fish properly with her stuffed animal and was looking forward to taking her hunting in the coming years. He and Katelyn were eagerly anticipating their new child.

Tragically, Mitch was involved in a car accident on November 20. After many days in the hospital, it became clear the injuries he suffered were too severe. While their hearts were breaking, Mitch's family made the generous choice to allow others to live with the gifts of his organs.

Without a doubt, Mitch's sudden departure has left us stunned and struggling for breath. While there are no words to convey the depths of our loss, may we find comfort in our many cherished memories and how his smile is reflected in his children’s eyes. May we also find comfort in the honor of keeping Mitch's generous legacy and beautiful spirit alive. In each moment we greet a stranger as a friend, confidently meet life's challenges, choose faith and hope over fear, cast our lines, and envelope others in love, we celebrate all the ways Mitch made the world a better place.

Mitchel Ryan Hausmann, age 33 of Conklin, passed away December 2, 2023 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. Mitch is survived by his wife, Katelyn; their daughter, Payton and their child they are soon expecting; his parents, Ronald and Jill Hausmann; Parents-in-law, John & Sheryl VanRoekel; sister, Samantha (Tony) Komins; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Melinda (Russ) Emmert, Nicholas (Brittany) VanRoekel, Derek VanRoekel, Luke VanRoekel; nieces and nephews: Maeve, Emory and Delaney Komins, Erica, Addison, Brooklyn, Kylie and Makayla Emmert, Carter, Brynn, Ashley and Caleb VanRoekel; Grandparents, Eva Huyser and Cathy Spaans; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mitch was preceded in death by his grandparents Theodore and Ellen Rottman, Gunnar and Anneliese Hausmann, Bill Huyser, Jim Spaans, Cornie and Hermina VanRoekel.

His funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 11 AM at First Netherlands Reformed Congregation, 1261 Beckwith Ave NE. (listen at http://listen.firstnrc.org) Interment to follow in Coopersville Cemetery. Mitch’s family will receive family and friends on Tuesday, from 2-4 & 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel. For those who wish, memorial contributions to his family are appreciated. To read more about Mitch, to share a memory or to sign his guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com