Ray Nanninga

Raymond D. Nanninga was a man who knew who he was and knew what mattered most. For Ray, faith and family outranked anything else. He demonstrated it every time he stopped what he was doing to offer wise words or a helping hand, and to pray for each of his family members by name daily.

Despite the challenges of the Great Depression, a young couple in Grand Rapids, Michigan, had something to look forward to; Benjamin C. and Wilma (Herrema) Nanninga were expecting their first child. Raymond arrived on Saturday, August 29, 1931.

Benjamin worked as a vice president at Central Bank in Grand Rapids and Wilma managed their household. Within a couple of years, Raymond had a new playmate in their home at 1341 Hillcrest Ave. NW when his sister Arlaine was born. Soon she was toddling after him, and a few years later their sister Lois arrived. Together they learned to make do with what they had, to share, and to pitch in, growing closer as a family.

School wasn’t always easy for young Raymond, not because of the academic load but because he was shy and much preferred spending time at home than hanging around with kids everywhere. He regularly walked home for lunch, and one day he decided he didn’t need to go back to school. He stayed home until his principal showed up and escorted him back to Oakleigh Elementary.

Ray and his sisters enjoyed being together much of the time, and they filled the house with games, piano practice, and laughter. Holidays were something to look forward to since the kids were able to play with cousins, gathering with extended family after church. Those formative years gave Ray a foundation of family, faith, and sacrifice. He learned to drive when he was fourteen and helped out the family by running errands and taking his sisters to their events. He attended Grand Rapids Christian High School and graduated with the class of 1949.

Ray was blessed to receive more than just a diploma from high school. His sister Arlaine had a friend named Jo whom she thought might be a good match for Ray. Arlaine could not have been more right. Ray and Jo hit it off immediately and there was no turning back. Ray wanted to graduate from college before getting married, so he attended Calvin College, working construction jobs to pay his own way. During his college years, young men were being drafted into the military due to the Korean Conflict; Ray, however, was diagnosed with a heart murmur and his draft was deferred. The summer of 1953 was a whirlwind; Ray graduated with a bachelor’s degree in history, found out that his draft had been deferred, and a week later he married his sweetheart. They exchanged vows on June 4, 1953, at Alpine Avenue CRC and honeymooned in the Upper Peninsula.

The newlyweds made their first home in an upstairs apartment on Muskegon St NW. One of Ray’s summer jobs had included work as a bricklayer, and Ray really took to it. He decided to pursue masonry and built a successful career over the next few decades, engaging regularly with the Michigan Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers.

The year after they were married, Ray and Jo had a precious baby girl, Jan, and over the next several years they added five more children to their family. Jan, Betsy, Carol, Todd, Amy, and Mark meant more to Ray with each passing day. He loved being their dad. Ray and Jo believed it was important for the family to spend time together and the Nanningas camped often. They started out tent camping, but eventually Ray and his brother-in-law built custom fold-out campers for their families. Later still, they bought a pink trailer affectionately known as the “Happy Holly”

Ray was task oriented and disciplined, traits that gave him opportunities to bless others not only in his work life, but his family and church as well. When a serious accident left him with a back injury that made masonry work impossible, he focused on finding a new job and doing his best at it. He began working as a jewelry repairman at Herkner Jewelers in downtown Grand Rapids. He excelled at it and advanced to become a successful jewelry salesman. He stayed at that job until his retirement well past age 65.

Ray served his church families faithfully, and he and Jo were members of Highland Hills CRC, Westview CRC, and then First Evangelical Covenant Church. Ray volunteered as an elder, a deacon, and a Sunday school teacher, and also sang in the choir. Always interested in community involvement, Ray served on the board of the West Side Christian School and volunteered for Northwest Food Pantry.

After his retirement, Ray and Jo loved traveling the world together. They visited Europe several times and Acapulco was a favorite destination. Over the years, Ray continued to grow his interests. He enjoyed classical music and hymns, and loved singing with the Calvin College Oratorio Society presenting Handel’s Messiah each December. He remained an avid reader, especially enjoying biographies and mysteries. He was handy and enjoyed building and repairing things. When there was an occasion to go out, he liked Olive Garden, Red Lobster and Turks.

Ray leaves his family with a precious legacy. The assurance of his love, the steadfastness of his commitment, and the example of his faith are gifts that can continue to be passed on for generations.

Ray died on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. He was preceded in death by his wife of seventy years, Jo (Postma); his parents; a son-in-law, Mike Ruiter; sister-in-law Barbara Postma; and brothers-in-law Don Postma, Harold Postma, Gerard Huissen, and Jack Kosten. Ray is survived by his six children: Janice (Oscar) Van Ee, Betsy (David Huyser) Ruiter, Carol (Phil) Brondsema, Todd (Mary Jo) Nanninga, Amy (Phil) Slachter, and Mark (Christina) Nanninga; eighteen grandchildren; fifteen great grandchildren; his sisters, Arlaine Postma and Lois Kosten; a sister-in-law June Huissen; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The funeral service will take place at 11 AM on Monday, October 7, 2024, at First Evangelical Covenant Church, 1933 Tremont Blvd NW., Grand Rapids, MI 49504. The family will gather for visitation from 3-6 PM on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Alt and Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, and for one hour prior to the service at the church. Ray will be laid to rest next to Jo at Rosedale Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Emmanuel Hospice, 401 Hall St SW #263, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, or to Edison Christian Life Services, 1000 Edison Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504.