Jane Earl, 73
Jane Catherine Krupiarz Earl, 73, of West Olive, passed away on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026.
Jane was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in December 2025.
Daughter of Frank and Regina Krupiarz, Jane was born on Aug. 17, 1952, at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, where her dad was stationed in the Navy. Traveling back to the mainland by ship at six weeks old with her parents and older brother, Tom, the family resettled in Michigan, eventually making Lansing their home. Jane was the second of seven children.
Jane graduated in 1970 from O'Rafferty High School, where she was a model student and involved in many extracurricular activities, including cheerleading. As a graduate of Michigan State University, she was a fervent Spartan fan.
Both still in their teens, Jane met the love of her life, Greg Earl, through mutual friends. Married in 1972, Jane and Greg were inseparable for the ensuing 53 years. After starting their life together in MSU's married housing complex, Jane and Greg moved to Brighton, where Jane was indispensable as office manager, while together they built a successful State Farm insurance business.
Upon retiring in 2012, the Earls made their cottage on the shores of Lake Michigan their permanent home, where Jane enjoyed the beautiful sunsets of the lake, often taking to the water to paddleboard, swim, and kayak.
Throughout her life, Jane was a consummate athlete. She started swimming at age 9, traveling to East Lansing to swim with "the college boys" at Spartan Swim Club at Michigan State. While in college at Central Michigan University, where she spent her freshman year, Jane was on the swimming team, qualifying for nationals in Arizona. She continued her swimming beyond college, competing in multiple master's swimming and open water events.
In addition to swimming, Jane competed in countless 5-10K road races and completed three marathons, including the Detroit Free Press Marathon. Combining her love for cycling, Jane took part in more than 50 triathlons, finishing as the first overall woman in both the Reeds Lake and Anchor Bay events.
For the past several years, Jane applied the same strength and perseverance shown in her athletic endeavors toward multiple illnesses that caused her formidable pain. Despite the intense pain, Jane did not let her illnesses take away from her passion for the outdoors.
Jane leaves a legacy that will continue to live in the hearts of her beloved husband, Greg; her siblings, Tom, Patty, Bob, Jim, Teresa, and Chris; and all who were privileged to have had her in their lives.
In loving memory of Jane, donations may be made to The Holland Aquatic Center, 550 Maple Ave., Holland, MI 49423; Velo Kids, P.O Box 1333, Holland, MI, 49422; or any hospice of your choice.
Egbert Geertman, 75
Egbert "Eg" Geertman, 75, of West Olive, passed away on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, at Medilodge of Zeeland.
Eg was born Aug. 31, 1950, in Zeeland to Gerald and Bertha (Styf) Geertman. He attended Zeeland Public Schools and became a truck driver, but recently fully retired from Subassembly Plus. He was a lifetime member of Ottawa Reformed Church.
Eg is survived by his wife, Connie; his daughters, Beth and Mike Bruins, Tracy Ponstein, and Katie and Paul Berry; eight grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; sister, Bernice Berens; brother, Gerald Jr. and Sandy Geertman; in-laws, Lynn Geertman, Dee and Dale Veldheer, Cindy and Britt Sipe, and Rick Slagh; and many extended family members.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Alvin Geertman, and brother-in-law, Ivan Berens.
A funeral service was held Tuesday, Feb. 17 at Ottawa Reformed Church, 11390 Stanton St., West Olive. Interment was in Olive Township Cemetery.
Donations may be made to Hospice of Holland.
Mary VandePoel, 89
Mary VandePoel, 89, of Zeeland, passed away Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of laughter, learning, loyalty - and likely a few excellent clearance finds still tucked away for a “rainy day.”
Born on Dec. 16, 1936, in Holland to Russell and Olive VandePoel, Mary was a graduate of Holland High School before continuing her education at Hope College. A lifelong learner in every sense, she later took courses at nine different universities, with a particular fondness for Michigan State University.
Mary began her teaching career with what was meant to be a one-year adventure overseas. That “year” turned into more than four decades serving as an educator on U.S. Air Force bases around the world.
From Okinawa to Spain, Germany, Puerto Rico, and Turkey, Mary taught generations of students - hundreds of children who may not have shared her last name, but certainly shared her guidance, encouragement, and high expectations. Though she never married nor had children of her own, she shaped lives across continents and considered education both her calling and her joy.
After retiring, Mary returned to West Michigan and settled in Zeeland, where she fully embraced penthouse living, overlooking Main Street. It suited her perfectly. Upon returning home, she once again became a faithful member of First Reformed Church of Holland, where she had been raised and attended from birth through college.
Mary is survived by her nephews, Eric (Amy) VandePoel of Holland, Matthew (Debra) VanHekken of Grand Rapids, Daniel (Kimberly) VanHekken of Clarkston, Dirk (Darcy) VandePoel of Zeeland and Joel (Heidi) VandePoel of Saugatuck; niece, Rebecca McIlwaine of Denver, Colo.; a beloved sister-in-law, Irene VandePoel; plus many grand-nieces, grand-nephews, and amazing friends in town and around the world. She was preceded in death by her parents, Russell and Olive; brother, James VandePoel (Irene); sister, Sara, and brother-in-law, Jim VanHekken.
A memorial service will take place on Saturday, March 7 at 11 a.m. with a one-hour visitation prior to the service at First Reformed Church, 630 State St., Holland.
Gracile Boehm, 93
Gracile Boehm, 93, of Zeeland, died Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at her home.
She was preceded in death by her sons-in-law, Michael Hop and Scott Terpstra; siblings, Jeanette Nagelkirk, Herman Ter Horst, Kenneth Ter Horst, Jerald Ter Horst and Alvin Ter Horst.
She was a member of Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church and former member of Immanuel Christian Reformed Church in Hudsonville.
Gracile is survived by her husband of 68 years, Robert; daughters, Audrey (Paul) Schierbeek, Brenda Hop and Carla Terpstra; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Eleanor (Donald) Beute and Joyce (Ben) Schaefer; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 21 at Central Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 259 Central Ave., Holland. Burial will be in Blendon Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, at Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Memorial contributions may be given to City on a Hill Ministries or Holland Christian Schools.
Ruth Bult, 87
Ruth Ann Bult, 87, of Holland, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026.
Ruth was born on July 27, 1938 in Overisel to Edward and Frances (Diepenhorst) Nyhof. She grew up on the family farm, washing eggs each morning before going to school in a one-room schoolhouse. She graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1956.
She began working for the Wolbrink Insurance Agency as a senior in high school and worked there for nearly 40 years before transitioning to Huntington Bank where she finished her career. She was a volunteer at Zeeland Community Hospital for 15 years and was a consistent visitor to those who were sick and shut-in on behalf of her church.
Ruth was baptized, did her profession of faith, and met Paul, her husband of 62 years, all at Overisel Christian Reformed Church. They married on Oct. 18, 1963. Paul and Ruth contributed to, and received from, the life of the church there. In their subsequent worshipping communities - Holland Heights CRC and Central Avenue CRC - God gave them additional blessings of worship, formation, fellowship, and opportunities to serve.
She was preceded in death by her sisters, Marian Nyhof and Hazel (Nyhof) Vork; brother-in-law, Ken Vork; and in-laws, Conrad and Delores (Lampen) Bult.
She is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Paul; children, Steven (Pam) and Michael (Andrea); grandchildren, Nate Bult, Meredith (Spencer) Thalmayer, Marcus (Maaike) Bult, Eli and Annika Bult; and brother, Edwin (Judy) Nyhof.
Funeral services were to be held at 10 a.m. today at Central Avenue CRC, 259 Central Ave., Holland, with Rev. Chad Steenwyk officiating. Interment will be in Overisel Cemetery.
Stanley Jarczak, 79
Stanley Edward Jarczak, 79, of Zeeland, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026 at his home.
Stan was born on Jan. 29, 1947, in Detroit, the oldest of three siblings. A graduate of the Detroit Institute of Technology, Stan worked for years as a sales representative in the automotive industry and later in the insurance industry.
Stan and his cherished wife, Colleen, were happily married for 44 years. After her tragic passing in 2019, he was appreciative of the love and support of his son, brother, sister, and sister-in-law.
He was also preceded in death by his mother, Mary Jarczak, and uncle, Thaddeus "Teddy" Nowak.
Stan is survived by his son, Steven (Jessica) Jarczak of Los Angeles; brother, Raymond (Kathleen) Jarczak of Holland; sister, Mary Jane Jones of Allen Park; nephew, Christopher (Nora) Jarczak of Chicago; and niece, Andrea Moore of Dallas.
A memorial Mass took place Saturday, Feb. 14 at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church, 480 152nd Ave., Holland. Stan’s urn was placed with his wife Colleen’s urn in Pilgrim Home Cemeteries indoor columbarium.
Francis Kazda, 58
Francis “Frank” Kazda, 58, of Holland, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2026.
Frank was born on Aug. 10, 1967 and grew up in LaGrange, Ill. He graduated from Lyons Township High School and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Western Michigan University. He started working for Sun Chemical in Chicago.
Kim and Frank then moved to Holland, where he worked for BASF and Sun Chemical before spending the last 16 years at Welch Dry. It was there where he also built deep friendships and took pride in the work he did every day.
If Frank wasn’t working, he was with his dogs or other people - family, friends, teammates, or the kids he coached. Frank would be seen throughout the Holland Heights neighborhood walking his “boys”. Sometimes being pulled by his beloved poodles. He loved sports of every kind and would try almost anything once, usually discovering he was naturally good at it. In recent years, he fell in love with pickleball, where he was known for his relentless energy, his competitive streak, and for strategic placement that sent opponents running back and forth. He also poured himself into coaching his kids in baseball and softball, including several years with Storm Softball and Zeeland East High School, and continued his coaching even after they had graduated.
Frank is survived by his wife of 31 years, Kim; their children, Nathan Kazda, Audrey Gortsema (Justin), and Aiden Kazda (Sarah); parents, Tom and Lavetta Kazda; sister, JoEllen [McDonald] (Gene); grandchildren, Jace and Emerson Gortsema; brother-in-law, Tom Keogh (Jackie); sisters-in-law Nicole Daly (Patrick) and Emily Wasik (Bob/Robert); nieces and nephews Marissa Keogh, Trevor Keogh, Charlotte and Henry Wasik; and mother-in-law, Sharon Keogh.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Feb. 14 at Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church, 836 E. 8th St., Holland.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gift of Life Michigan, 3861 Research Park Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
