Esther Howerzyl

As her family and friends can attest, Esther Howerzyl truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times. Esther’s spirit of service allowed her to touch the hearts and lives of countless others. She treasured her loved ones above all else, and she cherished whatever time she could spend with her family and friends. Esther was known for her strong work ethic and her solid faith in Christ. Always willing to go above and beyond to help others, she will be dearly missed.

It was while the eyes of the world were focused overseas as WWII raged on that Dave and Effie Bloemhof were pleased to announce the birth of the baby girl they named Esther on April 24, 1943. Her father ran his own business purchasing and delivering hay while her mother devoted herself to her family and her home.

Growing up, Esther was the fifth of seven children. She was raised in the family home in Bellflower, California, alongside her siblings, Ted, Hank, Julia, Anna, Flora, and David. From a young age, Esther began building the foundation of her unwavering faith. Together her family attended a local Protestant Reformed church. The Bloemhof family also loved to visit the Pacific Ocean on the weekends and enjoyed many trips to Washington State and various national parks. When Esther was a teenager, the family moved to Redlands, California, where they raised cattle and later grew oranges as well.

While living in Bellflower, Esther attended a Christian one-room schoolhouse. When the family moved to Redlands she was able to go to a much larger school, which was her first experience with many other students. She went on to graduate from Redlands High School in 1961. Following her graduation, Esther began working for her father’s business as a bookkeeper.

Esther met the man who would quickly become the love of her life. His name was Alan Howerzyl, and the two first met while Esther and her sister Anna were attending a Protestant Reformed Church teen convention in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Alan, who lived in Walker, Michigan, was also attending this convention with his brother, Larry. The four quickly became close friends and even dated a bit over the next couple weeks. Esther and Anna returned home to California, and Alan and Larry drove out to visit them that Thanksgiving. Soon after, Esther enrolled at Calvin College in Grand Rapids and began seriously dating Alan. Theirs was a whirlwind romance, and they were engaged by the end of that semester. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together, Esther and Alan were married at Protestant Reformed Church in Redlands, California, on October 4, 1963, with Alan’s uncle, Jim Howerzyl, officiating. Interestingly, Anna and Larry were also happily married. After a honeymoon in San Francisco, Esther and Alan went to Walker, MI to begin their future together. They briefly returned to California, but then returned to Walker and settled into a home on Fruit Ridge Avenue, where they would live for the next 35 years.

As her family and friends can attest, Esther treasured her family above all else. Together she and Alan were blessed to welcome four children into their hearts and home including Debbie, Julie, David, and Lori. She was dedicated to her family and encouraged her children to do their very best. Esther taught the children the value of responsibility and accountability, and she was the biggest supporter of all of their activities and interests. She raised her children in faith and led family devotions every day. Later in life, Esther was thrilled to become a grandmother and even a great-grandmother as well. She was always encouraging of her grandchildren and spent quality time with them. Esther truly had a gift for making each day special for her loved ones.

Throughout her life, Esther developed a very close and personal relationship with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was known to speak the truth of God’s Word in love to everyone and anyone. Esther served at Walker United Reformed Church by playing the organ for 35 years and was also involved in various ministries and communities including Bible Study Fellowship and Coffee Break. She often tried to lead others to Christ and always wanted to know where you were in your relationship with Jesus.

Never one to sit still for long, Esther pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She was a homemaker who was known for her good taste and loved decorating and shopping as well as gardening and landscaping. Esther and Al owned a cottage at Big Star Lake and later owned one at Gun Lake, and these cottages were the source of many priceless memories. She loved hosting gatherings for family members and friends. Esther enjoyed watching football, sewing, knitting, golf, sacred music, reading, and participating in a biking club. Esther loved traveling around the world, taking several trips to the Netherlands and a very special trip to Italy with her family for their 50th wedding anniversary.

When reflecting on the life of Esther Howerzyl, it is easy to see her unwavering strength and her unconditional love for her family. She was well known for her faith and her optimistic outlook on life. A loving wife and mother, Esther was overjoyed to watch her family tree blossom to include countless branches of loved ones. She always poured her heart into everything that she did, and she tirelessly worked to serve others. Though she will be deeply missed, Esther leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

HOWERZYL, Esther

Byron Center, MI

Age 78, entered into the arms of her Savior and Heavenly Father, April 6, 2022, while at home in the care of her loving husband and children. She is experiencing a joyous reunion with her parents, Dave and Effie Bloemhof; brother, Hank and Donna Bloemhof; and brother-in-law, Jon Bushnell. Esther was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She lived with great faith, gratitude, and love for her family, friends and church community. She encouraged her children and grandchildren to always be your best, work hard, and above all else, pursue your faith in Jesus in a committed and passionate way. Her love for family and friends was evident by her desire to spend time with them at the cottage, travel, attending grandchildren's activities, have meals together, faithfully attending church and participating in Bible studies and committees. Her determination and courage to fight her cancer was evident to those around her and a testament of her faith that God is in control and has a plan. Her favorite verse was Psalm 16:5, “Lord, you assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.” Esther is survived by her loving husband of 58 years, Alan Howerzyl; children, Debbie (Daniel) Rooks, Julie (Jim) DeGroot, David (Jodi) Howerzyl, Lori (David) Schuitema; 15 grandchildren, Joshua (Barbara) Rooks, Rachel (Ben) Damstra, Allyson (Derek) Mead, Megan (Matt) Deaton, Zach (Emily) DeGroot, Matthew (Sarah) DeGroot, Troy DeGroot, Paige Howerzyl, Morgan Howerzyl, Crew Howerzyl, Nate (Michaela) Schuitema, Nichole (Collin) Maxon, Noah Schuitema, Natalie (Jake Howell) Schuitema, Noland Schuitema; and 12 great grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings, Ted (Lorraine) Bloemhof, Julia Bushnell, Anna (Larry) Howerzyl, Flora Bloemhof, David (Bonnie) Bloemhof; many cousins, nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 13, 2022 at 11 AM at First Byron Christian Reformed Church, 8541 Byron Center Ave. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday April 12th from 4-7 PM at the church and beginning at 10 AM at the church. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Mission India or Alpha Grand Rapids. To read more of Esther's life story, leave a memory or condolence please visit www.heritagelifestory.com