George Holwerda

George Holwerda was a quiet, caring man, as honest as he was modest, as hardworking as he was fun-loving. George was a proud veteran, successful businessman, and a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a fine Christian man, too. Most of all, George lived his life by example, an example that lives on today in all who knew him.

George’s story began on a warm summer day in 1931, as the fall approached in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were difficult days in this country, which was mired in the quagmire of the Great Depression, with little end in sight for many Americans. Yet on September 4, 1931, John and Anna (Knoohuizen) Holwerda found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named George.

George was the fourth of five children in the family’s home in Grand Rapids, where his father owned and operated a local greenhouse, and his mother cared for George and his siblings, Joanne, Frances, John and Andy.

The close-knit family lived at 614 28th Street in Grand Rapids, and being the good Christian family they were, George attended the brand-new Seymour Christian School. George was part of the very first class to complete grades K-9 at Seymour, before heading off to Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1946.

When he was a sophomore in high school, George went to the local root beer stand, where he spotted a pretty young girl working behind the counter. Her name was Marlene Matson, and George summoned the courage to ask her to go for a drive with him. Marlene accepted, and though he was four years older than she, the sparks flew between them, and they soon became high school sweethearts.

George enjoyed his high school days, and excelled at playing basketball, though he had to give up his sporting pursuits to help his dad with the greenhouse after school. That sense of duty would serve him well the rest of his life, especially after he graduated high school in 1949, and enlisted in the Army, serving in the Korean Conflict.

When his service to his country ended, George returned to Grand Rapids, ready to resume his duty to his family. Little did he know, he would someday have a family of his own to consider. George began driving a truck for Jekel Moving & Storage, saving enough money so he could ask his longtime sweetheart Marlene to marry him. Once again, she accepted.

The happy couple was married on April 23, 1954, at Burton Heights Christian Reformed Church, the start of a beautiful life together. The newlyweds settled into a little upstairs apartment near Franklin and Eastern SE, and it wasn’t long before the new husband and wife became father and mother, as well.

George and Marlene were blessed with the birth of four fine children in the coming years, Elizabeth, Ruth, Jon and Mary, who filled their parents with pride and joy. As the family grew, the family moved, first renting a home on Nevada SE, then building a home on Curwood SE, and shortly after building on Francis SE. Later on, George and Marlene moved several more times, to places on Van Auken SE.

The family were faithful members of Millbrook Christian Reformed Church, transferring their membership from Burton Heights, and they were very loyal and active members. George was even the pitcher for the church’s softball team for many years. George’s service to his church and faith would be a lifelong one, and his Christian faith was the compass he led his life by.

The family did much together over the years, especially camping at Sand Lake, a beloved family tradition they kept for more than 43 years, where they formed so many wonderful memories on sun-kissed summer days.

George worked very hard to provide for his family, and eventually went into the greenhouse business with his father. He was a tireless worker and remained at the greenhouse until 1980, when he bought Hannah Floral. George was a great boss, who earned his employees’ respect with his generosity and fairness.

George ran the floral shop until the mid-1980s, when he went to work for the Bible League until the late ’80s. Not finished yet, George went to work driving a bus for Verhey Bus Company for a time, and later driving for Prestige Delivery, before finally “retiring.” Of course, George then took several part-time jobs to keep busy.

George was never a man who had trouble keeping busy, of course. He was a man of many hobbies and interests, from creating beautiful stained-glass pieces like lamps and sun catchers, to waterskiing (even barefoot when he was younger) and playing golf. He loved Gospel music and groups like the Gaithers and Doug Oldham. George and Marlene also enjoyed traveling, visiting Alaska, Lima, Peru, St. Thomas, Mexico and elsewhere, often aboard their friends’ sailboat.

And he loved going up to his trailer at Sand Lake, spending time with his beloved wife, children and later grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Those were his happiest times, surrounded by his loving family, proud of the kids he and Marlene raised. George adored his wife and his prized possession was his 25th anniversary ring. His grandkids often marveled at their grandparents’ wonderful marriage, as did everyone who met them.

For all his successes, George was an exceptionally humble, modest man, almost to the point of being shy, yet he was always very social. He was also very generous with his money, his love and his grace, and he often picked up the tab for dinner or golf.

As George’s years progressed, his health began to decline, and he and Marlene moved to Leisure South. He began showing signs of Parkinsons's Disease and then moved to Raybrook Manor in 2005, needing more care. Sadly, George died there on Sunday, October 19, 2008, at the age of 77.

George was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of family, faith and fond memories. He was a hardworking, fun-loving man, who devoted his life to caring and providing for his family. George was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, and a good friend to many. He was a man blessed with much just as we were so blessed to have known him. He will be greatly missed.

George was preceded in death by his brothers Andy and John and grandsons, David Rottman and Matthew Beyerlein. Surviving are Marlene, his wife of 54 years; children, Elizabeth and Rev. Kent Rottman, Ruth and Mark Beyerlein, Jon and Kathy Holwerda, Mary Holwerda, 16 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. Also surviving are sisters Joanne (Bill, dec’d) Vander Vennen, Fran and Jacob Ondersma, sisters-in-law Sharon (Andy, dec’d) Holwerda, Gladys (John, dec’d) Holwerda and Janell (Marvin) Hall; brothers-in-law, Keith Matson, Randy (Cindy) Matson and Todd Matson; many nieces and nephews. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in the Korean conflict. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11AM at Millbrook Christian Reformed Church, 3661 Poinsettia Ave SE, 49508 with Rev. Kent Rottman officiating. Interment in Rest Lawn Cemetery. Friends may meet the family at Zaagman Memorial Chapel , 2800 Burton SE on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9PM. Memorial contributions to The Grand Rapids Christian School Association, 1812 Sylvan SE, 49546 or the Bible League, PO Box 28000 Chicago, IL 60628 would be appreciated . You may sign the online guestbook or share a photo or memory of George by visiting www.lifestorynet.com