Jacob Jeltema

Jacob Jeltema was a hands-on kind of man. Whether it was working, helping, praying or playing, Jacob always got involved. He was an especially wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend, and the finest Christian man you could know. Jacob was known for his hands, but beloved for his heart, with a love that lives on today in all who knew him.

Jacob’s story began on a cool fall day in 1919, as the leaves began to change in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were hopeful times in this country, which was recovering from the hardships of World War I. On September 19, 1919, Charles and Sadie (Baker) Jeltema found a reason to celebrate, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Jacob.

Jake was the youngest of six children in the family’s home, which was located on Cedar Street NE, on the north side of town. Times were tough on the family when Jake was growing up, especially after his father died when he was just five years old. His mother struggled to make ends meet, while still caring for her six children at home, particularly during the dark days of the Great Depression. The kids would walk the train tracks to collect stray pieces of coal to heat their home.

Yet, somehow they survived, relying on each other and their great faith in the Lord. The family was faithful members of Coldbrook Christian Reformed Church, where Jacob’s powerful, lifelong faith grew.

Jake attended Creston Christian School as a boy, before heading off to Creston High School. He was a typically fun-loving (and mischievous) young man, and would sometimes skip school with friends and hop the train to Holland or elsewhere.

Jake took a year off school to help his family during especially hard times, going to work as the elevator operator at the McKay Tower in downtown Grand Rapids. He eventually returned to Creston, where he would graduate in 1939 and then to Davenport College for his Associates Degree.

He found more than a diploma at Creston, however. He also met the love of his life, a beautiful young woman named Helen Goudzwaard. It was love at first sight for the both of them, though it took the very shy Helen a little longer to realize Jake was the one for her.

The two dated for a number of years, and were married in 1942, shortly before he enlisted in the Army Air Corps on August 5 that year. Jacob served as an airplane mechanic, and trained as a tailgunner, though he thankfully was never sent overseas. In fact, Helen got to go with him and live on the base, forming some lifelong friendships along the way.

The couple soon was expecting their first child, a baby girl they named Marilyn, so Helen moved back to Grand Rapids to live with her father. When the war ended and Jacob was discharged, he returned home to his wife and baby, and began to grow their family further.

They lived with Helen’s father, and added three sons to the family while living there: Gordon, Bob and Paul. Jacob provided for his family by working at Rapistan, and eventually Bergers Supply, an industrial supply company. There he worked as a bookkeeper and did some sales, too.

As hard as Jacob worked to provide for his family, he was also always there for them. Indeed, he was a very “hands-on” father, who lived to spend time with his family. Summer Saturdays were always spent at a park or a beach, followed by an A&W root beer or ice cream cone, while Sundays were for walks in the woods or along the Grand River together. In the wintertime, Jacob would clear a spot in the backyard and make a skating rink, or they’d go sledding down the hills of Johnson Park — Jacob, of course, included.

The family also took many wonderful camping vacations together in the summertime, piling in the car and heading off to one of the many state parks. But while the family was busy pitching their tent, Jacob always seemed to find someone to talk to until it got raised! (Well, he wasn’t always hands-on!).

In the early 1960s, Jake and Helen bought their first and only new home, a beautiful residence on the shores of Crystal Lake, in nearby Jenison. It became a beloved haven for the whole family over the next 30 years, where they entertained often, and a place they eventually shared with their grandchildren.

Foremost in the family’s life, of course, was their relationship with the Lord, and Jacob was an integral part of his church. When they moved to Jenison, they joined Trinity Christian Reformed Church. Jacob was hands-on in his faith, and at Coldbrook he was a Sunday school teacher, a church Deacon and an Elder. He was also one of the founders of the Cadet Program started by the church and was a leader in the Cadet program. He took his faith even further in Jenison, serving as Elder and also in the Forgotten Man Ministries, helping spread the Word at several county jails in West Michigan and also state prisons. He also spent a lot of time helping at Crossroads Bible Institute.

Jake eventually retired after a long and illustrious career at Bergers, and he and his beloved Helen began to travel some. They took their travel trailer camping up north to Ludington, they went on cruises, and they visited Hawaii and Florida, too. They even wintered some in Florida, though their stay was usually a short one, as Helen missed her kids and grandkids too much.

The happy couple also enjoyed simpler trips, heading out to Lake Michigan for the day together, a great destination for an afternoon drive. Jake loved the beach, which was the perfect place for his favorite hobby, taking a nap.

Jake and Helen eventually sold their lake home and moved into Sunset Manor, as their years progressed and they began needing more care. Sadly, his beloved Helen died there in 2004. Jake persevered, through his family’s support and his faith in the Lord. He eventually moved to Cambridge Manor assisted living. His care was wonderful there and we as a family cannot begin to thank them enough for all of the special care that was given to him and to us as a family.

His family visited him often, taking him out for one of his favorite meals, burgers and fries and at Russ’s for a Twinburger and a cup of vegetable soup.(second only to Helen’s beef roast, mashed potatoes, and apple pie). They’d also take him to the beach, where he formed so many wonderful memories with them and Helen.

Sadly, Jacob’s health eventually began failing, and he passed away peacefully Thursday, November 8, 2007, at the age of 88 and entered his heavenly home.

Jacob was a wonderful man, who lived a wonderful life, a life so full of family, faith, and fond memories. He was an amazing husband, father and grandfather, and a good Christian example, as well. Jacob was a “hands-on” man in all that he did, but he is loved and remembered most for his heart today. He will be so greatly missed.

Surviving are his children: Marilyn Luurtsema, Gordon and Judy Jeltema all of Grand Rapids, Bob and Sandy Jeltema of Hudsonville, Paul and Sandy Jeltema of Wisconsin Rapids, WI, his grandchildren: Greg and Desiree Luurtsema, Nicki and Matt Hermance, Scott and Mindy Jeltema, Ryan Jeltema, Sara and Aaron Haveman, Amy and Jon Friesema, Eric Jeltema and Kara Jeltema, his great grandchildren: Justin and Dylan Luurtsema, Saige, Addison and Finley Jeltema, Bryce Haveman, Lauren Hermance; his sister Jeanette Millett, his sisters-in-law Eloise Jeltema, Betty Jeltema, Midge Doornbos and several nieces, nephews and many dear friends. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 AM at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W. with Rev. Gerald Koning of Trinity Christian Reformed Church officiating. Interment will be in Georgetown Township Cemetery. For who wish, memorial contributions to Crossroad Bible Institute would be appreciated. Mr. Jeltema reposes at the funeral chapel where relatives and friends may meet his family Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 P.M. To read more of Jacob’s Life Story, share a memory or sign the guestbook please visit www.lifestorynet.com