Donald R. Sundstrom

Donald Sundstrom loved his life. Happily married to his true love, the proud father of three children and the adoring grandfather of six grandchildren, he lived each day as though it was the best day of his life. A truly loving man with a big heart, Don blessed the lives of all those around him.

As World War II continued to occupy the world's attention in 1943, Rodger and Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" debuted, which combined the serious mood of the country with entertainment for the first time. It was also in this year that Theodore H. "Homer" Sundstrom and his wife, Bertha (DeVries), of Grand Rapids, Michigan, welcomed the birth of their son, Donald Richard, on February 16, 1943, at Blodgett Hospital. Don was the middle of three boys, which undoubtedly made the Sundstrom household a whirlwind of busyness, activity and perhaps some mischief from Don, his older brother, Ed, and younger brother, Ted.

Don had a great childhood growing up in their family home on Patton NW in Grand Rapids. They had a family dog named Champ, who was a Shetland Sheep Collie. As a child, he attended West Leonard Elementary School, and spent his leisure time playing baseball on several different championship teams. He continued his love as an all-city catcher for Union High until he graduated in 1961. Don attended Grand Rapids Junior College for 1 year and then Ferris State College in Big Rapids where he continued playing baseball. He graduated from the College of Pharmacy in 1966. Don pursued his love for baseball and shared this pastime with his children, teaching them how to play. Besides being an athlete in his youth, Don also played the violin, although later he changed to a base viola in high school.

Don's first job out of high school was at Dry Mix Crete and Supply. After graduating from Ferris, he took a job as a pharmaceutical sales representative at Eli Lilly. Over the next several years, Don moved to retail pharmacy because he found he enjoyed the customer interaction and patient consultation aspects. Don worked for many local pharmacies including White and White, Bunte's and Wonderland Pharmacy. Then in 1976, he purchased Medical Arts Pharmacy and managed the East Grand Rapids store. Later he sold the business and went on to work at Sunset Village and Clark Retirement Community. Most recently he practiced pharmacy at Family Fare.

In 1960 Don met the love of his life, Nancy Anderson at a dance at the Guest House on Stocking Ave. Over the next several years, Don and Nancy's love for each other blossomed and they were happily married on August 9, 1963, at the First Congregational Church in Grand Rapids. Don was still in college so the newlyweds settled into married life in Big Rapids until he graduated. They soon became the proud parents of three wonderful children: Carrie born in 1964, Craig in 1967, and Cristen in 1970. In January of 1968, the couple bought their home in Comstock Park, where they lovingly raised their children and share many happy memories to this day.

Don was an avid bowler and bowled for more that 20 years at the Clique on Stocking Ave. The Thursday night league included his dad (Ted the barber), and other family members throughout the years. Don was also on a mixed doubles league with his wife Nancy at Westgate Bowl. Don's bowling career included many trophies and a plaque denoting "11 In a Row", for a 290 game!

His family fondly remembers going to all the softball games and tournaments. Don played for many different softball teams including fast-pitch and slow-pitch into his 50's. He played with his son Craig, brother Ted, brother in-law Andy,and brother in-law Jeff. Many special friendships were made throughout the softball years.

A true family man, Don's happiest moments always involved the time he spent with his wife and kids. Every year Don and Nancy enjoyed planning the annual 2-week family summer vacation.

The children also delightfully remember the delicious trips to the Dairy Queen on Walker NW and the Monday nights when Mom went to ceramic class and Dad made them root beer floats and popcorn. Many Sundays the family went to visit Grandpa and Grandma Sundstrom after church. Grandma always asked the family to stay for dinner and then everyone would watch the Wonderful World of Disney together. In the summer the family spent many sunny days swimming and playing at Grandpa and Grandma's pool. Later Don and Nancy put in a beautiful pool in their backyard. Many weekends were spent landscaping and grilling with family and friends.

After the children moved away, Don and Nancy continued to travel including many trips with their children and grandchildren.

Don was a dedicated family man and while the kids were at home, he chose not to spend much of his free time pursuing golf. When the kids left home he finally dusted off the clubs he received as a college graduation gift from his parents. Recently he developed a weekly traveling golf team with family. Nancy enjoyed acting as the golf secretary and setting the weekly "Tee Times" at new locations.

Don not only provided for his family in financial terms, but he was always there for them in every capacity. Nancy describes Don as her true love forever and ever. He was her confidant and best friend. They enjoyed dancing, cooking, gardening and just spending time together. Carrie, Craig, and Cristen fondly remember their Dad as an honest and caring person. He taught them so much about life and instilled a strong sense of family. Don's love and devotion wasn't simply reserved for just his wife and children. His brother Ted admiringly remembers that Don was a true big brother to him. To this day, Ted would trust Don with his life! His brother in-law Andy describes Don as "the greatest man I ever knew" and the big brother he never had. Don was very involved with his grandkids. He enjoyed the role of Grandpa with the same excitement of fatherhood and loved going to all their events.

Part of what made Don such a wonderful, loving man was his strong Christian faith. He was a lifelong member of the Wallin Congregational Church, where he served as a Deacon and in many other capacities.

Don now sits in heaven's garden, watching over his family, who will miss him very dearly.

Donald Sundstrom, age 63, of Comstock Park, MI, completed his courageous battle with prostate cancer on Thursday, May 4, 2006, and is now enjoying eternal life in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore H. "Homer" and Bertha (DeVries) Sundstrom, his father-in-law, Robert C. Anderson, and sister-in-law, Natalie Sundstrom. Don leaves his wife, Nancy; children: Carrie (Sundstrom) Quigley, her husband Steven, and their children, Tyler and Nicole of Gun Lake, Craig and Tonya (Ignasiak) Sundstrom and their children, Keagan, Kyle and Keira of Caledonia, Cristen (Sundstrom) Brandsma, her husband James, and their daughter, Kate, of Cadillac. Also surviving are his brothers: Ed Sundstrom of Baldwin, Theodore A. Sundstrom and wife Karen Elbert of East Grand Rapids; mother-in-law, Marge (Smith) Anderson; brothers-in-law, Robert "Andy" Anderson, and wife Donna, and Jeff Anderson, all of Grand Rapids, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 8, at 11 a.m. at Wallin Congregational Church, 1550 Oswego N.W., with interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. Friends may meet the family at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W., on Saturday, May 6, from 7-9 p.m. and on Sunday, May 7, from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The family wishes to thank Drs. Yost, Sobong, Beversluis and Novak and the caring staff at Spectrum Blodgett Campus. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory of Don, sign the online guestbook or make a memorial contribution to the Wallin Congregational Church Memorial Fund, 1550 Oswego NW, 49504 or the Prostate Cancer Foundation, 1250 Fourth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401.