Dirk Hollebeek

Dirk Hollebeek was a truly genuine individual with a deep and sincere compassion for others. His relaxed and approachable nature had a comforting effect on almost everyone he met. Though his life was cut short, he leaves a remarkable legacy defined by his enthusiastic approach to life, his unwavering perseverance, and his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He will be profoundly missed for his authentic character, strong Christian faith, and the unconditional love and support he readily offered to all who knew and cherished him.

Dirk’s life began during a time in our nation’s history known for the launch of the space shuttle program, the introduction of digital watches, and the first hand-held scientific calculator, the HP-35. The Volkswagen Beetle became the most popular car ever sold, and Atari kicked off the first generation of video games with the release of PONG. While most Americans were focused on the results of Nixon’s Watergate scandal, Martin and Mary (Dekker) Hollebeek welcomed home their newborn son, Dirk Bradley, and his twin brother, Matthew, on December 21st, 1972, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The twins had an instant bond, leading to lifelong friends, even inventing their own gibberish that only they could understand. They were joined four years later by their younger sister, Emily.

Dirk’s early years were sprinkled with health concerns. At the age of four months, he underwent his first surgery. By the tender age of two, he was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Dirk found joy amid adversity even in his younger years. He enjoyed playing with Star Wars toys and was very content to keep himself entertained for hours, often showing a creative side as well. He and Matt also found their share of mischief along the way. He entertained himself on family car trips by reading and playing chess with his siblings. And once he was able to drive, his passion for good music made up for his sketchy driving record.

When it came to school, Dirk was bright and motivated to do well. He attended Westside Christian School, Blandford Nature School, and City Middle School. Dirk was a dedicated team member and even city champ of the Battle of the Books and at the age of ten years old, was selected to represent the Arthritis Foundation at Super Bowl XVI, meeting Mean Joe Greene and other football legends. His love of the water started in the family pool, along with summers spent at the family cottage on Big Star Lake. He enjoyed swimming competitively for many years in club and high school, earning the Chris Baarman Award, an annual award given to student athletes at Grand Rapids Christian High School who had overcome significant challenges. His family was active in their faith at Highland Hills Christian Reformed Church, creating a strong foundation that he carried into his adult years. After graduating from Grand Rapids Christian High School, he enrolled at Hope College with an interest in education.

Dirk landed his first teaching job in Cheboygan and then in a charter school closer to Grand Rapids. He continued volunteering for Christian Adventures in the summer months while he was off after working for them during his college years. While he was preparing for a cycling trip across Colorado, he met another volunteer, Stacey Heemstra, who would steal his heart forever! After returning home from the trip, they went on their first date to Big Star Lake, and the rest was history! Dirk had a vision for how to use his teaching skills, and through a series of events, accepted a job at Rehoboth Christian School in New Mexico. He drove back to Michigan during his winter break and proposed to Stacey on his birthday. When school let out, they honeymooned along the east coast, starting at Prince Edward Island after they exchanged wedding vows on July 10, 1999. The newlyweds returned to New Mexico, where they would live and raise their three wonderful children over the next 17 years.

As a dad, Dirk loved to spend time with the kids. They were known to race scooters down chalk lanes drawn in the driveway, and went mountain biking when they grew older. Dirk loved taking the boys to the woods to cut wood and split it for the family’s wood-burning stove. As a family, they vacationed in Maui, took many biking trips to Moab, and delighted in Durango’s picturesque seasons each fall and spring. They loved camping and mountain biking through the mountains. Each summer, they returned to the Midwest to visit family and enjoy time on the water.

During their time in the Southwest, Dirk enjoyed many activities. He loved rock climbing in his early years and shifted his love to biking. Mountain biking in New Mexico was a great joy and a natural fit, but Dirk also shared his love of road biking with a tight cycling community. Riding was a great stress reliever, and Dirk often commuted to and from work on his bike. While at Rehoboth, he earned his master's degree in counseling and would then begin as a counselor at Gallup Public Schools. This opened the door for further advancement as he completed his Master's in Education Leadership, which led to him becoming the assistant principal at Chief Manuelito Middle School. Beyond the educational realm, Dirk also found leadership positions at Bethany Christian Reformed Church in Gallup, and the Rehoboth Christian School board. He gave so much of his time and resources to his community.

Dirk was elated when a position opened up at Holland Christian Middle School. Many answered prayers led him and Stacey back to West Michigan to be closer to family. Dirk missed the wide expanses of the west, yet was happy to be near the water again. Lake Michigan provided many opportunities for surfing, paddleboarding, sailing, bikepacking, and hunting. Sadly, during the Christmas season of 2017, he experienced health issues, which led to a diagnosis of leukemia. The following years were marked by many ups and downs as he battled graft vs. host disease, the result of a bone marrow transplant in early April 2018—the only sure way to overcome the AML. A gifted communicator, he started to share his journey on a Facebook group to keep everyone informed. His posts were a way to verbalize his struggles as well as encourage others. By February of 2025, his health took another turn with a diagnosis of metastasized pancreatic cancer—signaling that his body was losing the ability to continue the fight.

Dirk modeled for his loved ones and his larger community the meaning of friendship, of a life of adventure while overcoming obstacles, and the value and beauty of living a life of integrity and authentic faith in Jesus Christ.

Dirk Hollebeek, age 52 of Holland, found his way Home on May 27, 2025. Dirk is survived by his wife, Stacey; children: Aidan, Teddy and Olivia; parents, Martin & Mary Hollebeek; mother-in-law, Jane Heemstra; his twin brother, Matt (Robin) Hollebeek; sister, Emily (Phil) Brechting; sisters-in-law: Courtney & Jon Eldersveld, Tiffany and Brian Bangma; nieces and nephews: Jack, Avery, Kacie and Charlie Hollebeek, Leighton, Ryland, Paxton and Tierney Brechting, Quincy (Charlie) Brower, Skyler, Lara, Broden and Gus Eldersveld, Grayson and Sydney Bangma; as well as aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law, Tim Heemstra.

His funeral service will be held on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 11 AM at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Road in Holland. Friends are invited to visit with his family on Sunday from 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, and on Monday from 5-7 at Christ Memorial Church in Holland.

Memorial contributions to Holland Christian School, Rehoboth Christian School, or Zuni Christian Mission School are appreciated. Interment in Lakeshore Cemetery. To help celebrate Dirk’s life, please share a favorite memory or photo on his personal memory page at www.heritagelifestory.com