Phyllis A Flietstra

Phyllis Arlene Flietstra, age 91, left her earthly life on August 4, 2023, to begin eternal life with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was born on July 9, 1932, to Allie and Janet (Stap) Konyndyk. When Phyllis was just 12 years old, her father Allie passed away at the young age of 39. Her mother Janet then raised Phyllis, her brother Gord and sister Jacquie until 1950 when she married John Rinzema. Phyllis had the opportunity to attend Sylvan Christian School and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1950. Soon after high school, she was employed at the office of Dr. Bignall, M.D. until her marriage.

Phyllis Konyndyk and Clare Flietstra met while Clare was home on leave from the Navy. It seems Phyllis and her friends pitched in to buy one ticket to a Hoagy Carmichael concert with the intent to sneak the other girls in through a side door. Clare and his friend saw the door swing open and snuck in right along with them. Clare and Phyllis ended up sitting near each other and their love story began that night. When Clare’s Navy leave ended, he continued to pursue Phyllis by writing love letters to her. After he completed his naval service, Clare and Phyllis were married on October 24,1952, in Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church. With joy they welcomed into their family four children: Craig, Michelle (Shelly), Scott and Chris (Chip), but also grieved the death of an infant daughter, Beth Ann, who was born prematurely in 1959.

The Flietstra children have fond memories made every summer weekend at the family cottage at Highbank Lake in Bitely, Michigan. They also especially remember their mom’s abilities as a hostess and how she enjoyed serving her chocolate chip cookies, almond bars, strawberry cheesecake, and strawberry jam. Phyllis loved gardening (weeding) and declared it to be her “outdoor therapy.” Another place she used her gifts was as a volunteer at Friendship Club (1:1 for people with special needs) at Westend Christian Reformed Church, where she and Clare were members. An animal lover, Phyllis particularly loved dogs and John Ball Zoo was a favorite place for outings with her grandchildren. However, more than all of the loves of her life, Phyllis Flietstra loved her Lord and Savior Jesus most!

Clare and Phyllis enjoyed 63 years of blessings together until he passed away on December 3, 2015. During these years, Phyllis delighted in being a stay-at-home mom and later a grandmother and great grandmother. But due to declining health, in July 2019 Phyllis moved to Memory Care at Waterford Place, where she soon became loved by her caregivers and the residents because of her kind, mothering and gentle demeanor. The Flietstra family would like to extend their warm appreciation to the caregivers at Waterford Place and to the team at Faith Hospice for their love and compassion shown to our mom. Although our mother, grandmother and great grandmother was a wonderful part of our lives, we know that she will be an even greater part of our future!

Phyllis A. Flietstra was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Clare; infant daughter, Beth Ann; great-grandson, Trenton; brother, Gordon Konyndyk; brother-in-law, Raymond Zwiers; and sisters-in-law, Marilyn Buist and Barbara (Rev. Bill) Bouwer. Phyllis is survived by her children, Craig (Kathy) Flietstra of Jenison, Shelly (Doug) Steensma of Grand Rapids, Scott (Dorothy) Flietstra of Dorr and Chip (Kelly) Flietstra of Grand Rapids; 10 grandchildren; 28 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild. She is also survived by her sister, Jacqueline Zwiers, sisters-in-law, Marge Konyndyk and Norma (Arnold) Quakkelaar; brother-in-law, Donald Buist; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3 PM on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. The family will receive visitors for one hour prior to the service. Interment in Washington Park Memorial Gardens.

The family welcomes your memories and messages and know that her memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her.