Randy Groenheide, 67
Randy Groenheide, 67, of Zeeland, passed away suddenly Friday, Jan. 9, 2026.
Randy graduated from Hamilton High School. Shortly after graduation, he began his career as an electrician. In the early 90’s he started Grand Electric. He married Connie Bledsoe on June 20, 1980. They raised their family in Zeeland and were members of Faith Reformed Church.
He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Connie; his children and grandchildren, Michael and Sheena Groenheide (Decklyn, Ella, Jaymes, and Knox), Rachel and Brett Jasch (Brinsley and Sawyer), and Brandon Groenheide; brother, Mark and Sara Groenheide; mother-in-law, Louise Bledsoe; and many extended family members.
Randy was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Donna Groenheide; brother, Ron Groenheide; and father-in-law, Elbert Bledsoe.
A memorial service to honor Randy will be at 10 a.m. today at Family Church Ebenezer Campus, 5166 Ottogan St., Holland.
Memorial contributions may be given to Family Church.
Melinda VanOrder, 53
Melinda K. VanOrder, 53, of Zeeland, unexpectedly passed away peacefully in her home on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
Melinda (Mindy) loved being with her family and friends. She worked for Fricano’s Too where she met some really good friends. She was a member of the Moose Lodge of Holland. Even though she had battled multiple sclerosis for a long time, she lived life the way she wanted to.
She is survived by her husband, Bruce VanOrder; children, Roxanne (Tommy) Phipps and Tyler (Jami) VanOrder; granddaughter, Alice VanOrder; parents, Tom (Anne) Thrasher and Bobbie (Barry) Staggs; parents-in-law, Art (Betty) VanOrder; brothers, T.J. (Alyssa) Thrasher, Eric (Angela) Kincaid, Kevin Kincaid, T.J. Kincaid, Matt (Amanda) Staggs and Josh (Megan) Staggs; sisters-in-law, Melanie (Doug) Engelsman and Amy Thrasher; and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Interment will be in Borculo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to The National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Londa Kroll, 63
Londa Jane Kroll, 63, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026.
She is survived by her children, Ryann and Amber Raab, Cassandra and Michael Dean, Candace and Zirin Switzer, and Christa Ingraham; grandchildren, Taylor Martinez, Abby Terpstra, Sierra Raab, Benjamin Brandsen, Brad Brandsen, Emily Brandsen, Cadence Adams, Eleri Adams, Kolton
Adams, Hayden Switzer, Paul Ingraham, Paxton Ingraham, Ashton Ingraham and Destiny Ingraham; siblings, Ken and Alice Dunn, Laurie and Mark Reed, and Kevin and Shannon Dunn; and her nieces, nephews and extended family.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Jan. 16 at 2 p.m. at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland, with visitation prior to the service from noon to 2 p.m. Burial will take place in Fennville Cemetery.
John Rietsma Jr., 96
John Rietsma Jr., 96, of Zeeland, passed away on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026.
John was born Aug. 30, 1929 in Holland, to John Sr. and Agnes (Vander Woude) Rietsma. He graduated from Holland High School and then served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict from 1951-1953. He married Doris Westveld on April 15, 1955. They raised their four children in Zeeland and were members of First Christian Reformed Church.
John worked as a tool and die maker at Hart & Cooley until his retirement. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deb VandenBosch, in 2018.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Doris; their children, Mike and Robin Rietsma, Tim and Jody Rietsma, and Carrie VanDerKolk, son-in-law, Daryl VandenBosch; grandchildren, Brandon VandenBosch, Darcey and Rod Weber, Drew and Tracy VandenBosch, Angie and Kyle Walters, Mitch and Kristina Rietsma, Tanya and Greg Van Dyke, Troy Rietsma, Silas VanDerKolk and Abbie VanDerKolk; 12 great-grandchildren; and many extended family members.
A funeral service with military honors will be held Saturday, Jan. 17 at 2 p.m. at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Visitation will be from 1 to 1:45 p.m. Saturday, prior to the service. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gentiva Hospice or the National MS Society.
Carolyn Redder, 88
Carolyn Mae Redder, 88, of Zeeland, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026.
Carolyn was born Aug. 5, 1937, in Hudsonville to Peter J. and Stella (Kuipers) Lubbers. After she graduated high school, she met Jason Redder from Zeeland, and they married on July 11, 1957.
Jason and Carolyn raised their three children in Zeeland and Carolyn worked as a nurse’s aide in several area nursing homes. They were members of Haven Christian Reformed Church and Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church for many years. In 2005, Jason preceded her in death.
Carolyn more recently became a member of North Street Christian Reformed Church.
She is survived by her children, Michael and Janice Redder, Jack and Dawn Redder, Cindy and Gord Van Dyke; grandchildren, Kyle and Meghan Redder, Curtis and Jill Redder, Kimberly and Jay Zomberg, Daniel and Lisa Redder, Laura and Ross Ulberg, Katelyn and Sean Hamstra, Derek and Nikki Van Dyke, Greg and Tanya Van Dyke, and Emilie and Todd Rillema; 20 great-grandchildren; siblings, Larry and Sandy Lubbers, Kathy and Roger Berens, and Gloria Smith; and many extended family members.
Carolyn was also preceded in death by her parents; siblings, Jim Lubbers and Pat Berens; parents-in-law, Harry and Elizabeth Redder; and many siblings-in-law.
A funeral service was held Monday, Jan. 12 at North Street Christian Reformed Church, 20 E. Main Ave., Zeeland. Interment was in Zeeland Cemetery (Lincoln Avenue location).
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland.
Stephen Scott, 98
Stephen Scott, 98, of Holland, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026.
A memorial service with military honors will be held Monday, Jan. 19 at 11 a.m. at Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 259 Central Ave., Holland. Burial will be in Zeeland Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service, also at the church.
Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Home-Downtown Chapel.
Martha Vander Ploeg, 91
Martha Vander Ploeg, 91, of Zeeland passed away at Resthaven Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026.
She was a longtime member of First Reformed Church in Zeeland, where she was active in the Ladies Aid and helped coordinate and serve funeral lunches. Martha worked for the city of Zeeland for 15 years and worked as the election chairperson for the city for many years.
She is survived by her children, Bob and Marybeth Vander Ploeg, Rick and Linda Vander Ploeg, Judy and Curt Vander Ploeg, and Nancy and Ron Oskam; grandchildren, Chris and Brenda Vander Ploeg, Michelle and Tom Michmerhuizen, Ryan and Heather Vander Ploeg, David and Rachel Vander Ploeg, Matthew Vander Ploeg, Joshua Vander Ploeg, James Vander Ploeg and Kenzie, and Erica Oskam; 12 great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce Stempfly, Evelyn and Harvard Hoekje, and Gloria Culver; sister-in-law, Judy Hoeve; and several nieces and nephews.
Martha was preceded in death by her husband, Paul; and siblings and their spouses, Marjorie Anderson, Harvey and Marjorie Hoeve, Carolyn and John Harsevoort, Herman Hoeve, Roger and Helene Hoeve, Louis Stempfly, Marion Hoeve, and Louis Culver.
Funeral services were held Friday, Jan. 9, at First Reformed Church, 125 E. Lincoln Ave., Zeeland. Interment was in Zeeland Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Holland or Resthaven.
Autumn DeWild, 48
Autumn DeWild, 48, of Zeeland, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2026 in the care of hospice and staff at the Medilodge, after the long journey that is dementia.
Autumn was born in Iowa to Marcia and Ken DeWild, and lived in Michigan much of her life. Arriving in the fall season, she was literally mom and dad’s “Autumn Rose” surprise.
Autumn loved Jesus and loved to dance, and dance she did after receiving life-changing open-heart surgery as a child. She was a member of the Living Light Dance Company and performed liturgical and interpretive dance to inspirational (and bumpin’) music before numerous audiences locally and regionally.
Autumn had Down Syndrome and was one of the first students with DS to graduate from Zeeland High School. She took continuing education classes at the local college and art studio. Autumn also worked as a dishwasher, greeter, and bagged groceries at Family Fare for many years.
Autumn was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents (Gerrit and Pauline, and George and Georgia). She leaves behind her brother George, sister-in-law Melissa, niece Skylar, and nephew Logan, along with a horde of family and friends.
Her ashes will be scattered on her favorite day, and Autumn’s name will be carved on the GVSU Memorial Wall.
In the place of a funeral or sending flowers, instead Autumn would want you to make some art today, give someone a hug and ask them to dance (yeah, right now), or stop in your tracks when opportunity strikes and practice admiration for a creature that should simply be appreciated, even if only from a distance.
Local donations matter to folks like Autumn, and your generosity is welcomed at artsinmotionstudio.org/donate, noorthoekacademy.org/donate and gvsu.edu/giving.
Margaret Hall, 76
Margaret Ann Hall, 76, of Zeeland, passed away on Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026.
Born on Oct. 7, 1949, Margaret was a faithful and hard-working resident of Zeeland. She married the love of her life, Les Hall, with whom she shared a deep bond until his passing. Together, they raised three daughters: Michelle (Bernie) Santos, Lisa (John) Hoffman, and Melanie (Wayne) Boersen.
Margaret was a devout Christian and a founding member of Holland Baptist Church, where she dedicated much of her time and energy. Her community involvement was a testament to her faith and her generous spirit. Professionally, Margaret worked for Prince Manufacturing for more than 25 years, demonstrating her hard-working nature and commitment to excellence.
She is survived by her daughters; siblings, Lonnie Calloway and Melinda Quigley; brother-in-law, James Hall; sister-in-law, Colene Braden; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life is being planned and will be announced at a later date.
Ron Visser, 83
Ron H. Visser, 83, passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Zeeland.
He was born on Aug. 25, 1942, in Haarlem, the Netherlands, to Henry Visser and Renee DeBoer Visser, the youngest of five brothers. In 1953, at the age of 11, he immigrated to the United States with his family, settling in West Michigan, where he would spend his life.
Ron graduated from Zeeland High School and began a long and steady career in retail management, spending many years with Sears Roebuck. Alongside his retail career, he worked as a part-time school bus driver for West Ottawa Public Schools. After retiring from Sears, Ron returned to bus driving full-time, transporting special-needs children.
Ron’s faith and daily devotion were a steady and grounding presence throughout his life. His commitment to church, prayer, and routine reflected a life shaped by discipline, service, and quiet perseverance.
Ron is survived by his children, Scott Visser of Fort Lupton, Colo. and Shelly Whitney of Denver, Colo.; grandchildren, Sid Visser, Anna Whitney, Aidan Whitney, Kyle Jordan and Owen Whitney; his longtime partner, Marilyn Jones; and most importantly, his beloved dog, Cooper. He is also survived by extended family and many friends.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17 at 11 a.m. at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Rd., Holland.
