Vernin Veldheer, 100
Vernin Veldheer, 100, of North Holland, passed away on Monday, July 20, 2026, at his home.
Vern was born Sept. 25, 1925, in Holland to George and Jeanette (Brower) Veldheer. He went to school through the eighth grade and started working to assist the family through the Great Depression.
Then World War II arrived and Vern served his country in the U.S. Army. When he returned home he married Esther Hossink. Vern started their family business, Veldheer Tulip Farm, and worked at the Ottawa County Road Commission.
In 1950 the Tulip Farm became an official full-time endeavor. Vern and Esther were also members of the North Holland Reformed Church. Esther preceded him in death in 2004.
He was also preceded in death by his parents; son, Paul Veldheer; great-granddaughter, Maya Lynn Walters; great-grandson, Bodie James Walters; siblings and their spouses, Don and Fran Veldheer, Elmer and Marlene Veldheer, Ruth and Randy Marlink, Kay and George Vander Kooi, Wayne Veldheer, Russ Veldheer, Larry and Wilma Veldheer, and Jack Millard; in-laws, Vern Woudwyk, Mary Hossink, Edna Hossink, Floyd and Maria Hossink.
Vern is survived by his son. Jim and Jodi Veldheer; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Jenna and Luke Walters (Nakita), and Jacob and Megan Veldheer (Garritt, Eleanor); siblings, Glenn and Marcia Veldheer, Esther Veldheer, June Veldheer; in-laws, Lil Veldheer, Betty Woudwyk, and special family friends Chuck and Jane Zuverink, and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service with military honors will be held on Saturday, July 25 at 12 noon at North Holland Reformed Church, 12050 New Holland St., Holland. Visitation will be from 10 to 11:45 a.m. on Saturday prior to the funeral service. Private interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to North Holland Reformed Church (to benefit children’s ministries).
Arrangements are by the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland.
Pamela Den Bleyker, 71
Pamela S. Den Bleyker age 71, of Holland, died Sunday, July 19, 2026 at her home.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 48 years, James Den Bleyker, and her parents.
Pam was the daughter of Edwin and Natalie Ver Hage and graduated from Zeeland High School. She was a proud wife, mother, sister, grandmother, great grandmother and loved singing in the church choir and volunteering. She made those around her feel welcome.
She is survived by her children, Brian (Tina) Den Bleyker and Katie (Ryan) Wurm; grandchildren, Logan, Gwynever, Ryleigh, Alex and Troy; great-granddaughter, Phoebe; sister, Peggy Bennett; in-laws, Robert (Carol) Den Bleyker, Donald (Myrna) Den Bleyker, Judy Den Bleyker and Thomas (Nancy) Den Bleyker; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Funeral services will be Friday, July 24 at 11 a.m. at Niekerk Christian Reformed Church, 545 Country Club Rd., Holland. Burial will be in East Holland Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. today at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Hospice of Holland, 270 Hoover Blvd., Holland, MI 49423 or Eagle Crest Alaska Mission, O-11248 Linden Dr. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49535.
Joyce VandenBosch, 86
Joyce Elaine VandenBosch, 86, peacefully passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
Born on Sept. 14, 1939, in Holland, she was a remarkable woman whose greatest accomplishment was not measured by wealth or recognition, but by the lives she shaped through unconditional love, sacrifice, strength, and unwavering determination.
Joyce was, above all else, a mother. Raising six children as a single parent during times of tremendous financial hardship, she carried responsibilities that would have overwhelmed many. She never complained about the burdens she carried because, to her, her children always came first. Every decision she made, every extra shift she worked, every sacrifice she endured was driven by one purpose — to ensure that her children were safe, loved, and given every opportunity to succeed.
Determined to build a better future for her family, Joyce attended Davenport College while working, raising six children, and caring for her sister’s children so her sister could work. She demonstrated by example that education, perseverance, and sacrifice were investments worth making, no matter how difficult the journey.
Joyce spent her life working tirelessly to provide for her family. Throughout the years, she worked for John Thomas Batts, the Michigan Department of Social Services, Holland Hitch, and several local restaurants as a waitress before finishing her career at Haworth, where she retired in 2001.
Her faith was the foundation of her life. Joyce was a devoted member of Rose Park Reformed Church for many years before later becoming a faithful member of South Olive Christian Reformed Church. She faithfully attended worship, volunteered whenever she could, and twice answered the call to serve on Christian mission trips to the Dominican Republic. She found purpose in serving others and quietly lived out her faith through acts of kindness, compassion, and generosity.
Joyce was preceded in death by her sister, Phila Essenburg; beloved children, Wayne VandenBosch and Liza VandenBosch; her son-in-law, Kevin Riemersma; and granddaughter, Kayla Rusticus, whose memories she carried in her heart every day.
Joyce is survived by her loving children, Jill VandenBosch (Scott, partner), Bryan VandenBosch (Pam), Merry Jo Riemersma (Kevin), Kelly VandenBosch (Maureen “Micki”), and Bob VandenBosch (Stacy); sisters, Beth Day, Jean Puegh, and Gretchen Potts; grandchildren, Derek, Paige, Mitchell, Josh, Cory, Cole, Morgan, Aaron, Ally, Adam, Nickolas, Sean and Annabelle; great-grandchildren, Isla Marie, Ivy Jo, Lucy, Wayne, Walker, and Addison.
She also leaves behind countless relatives, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and members of her church family who will deeply miss her phone calls, her laughter, her quick wit, the smell of fresh coffee, the sound of country music playing throughout her home, and the comforting presence she so generously shared.
Funeral services will be held at noon today at South Olive Christian Reformed Church, 6425 120th Ave. Visitation will take place before the service, from 10 a.m. to noon, at South Olive CRC.
Elizabeth Walters, 88
Elizabeth R. Walters (Betty), 88, of Rockford, formerly of Zeeland, passed away on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, in Grand Rapids.
Betty was born and raised in Zeeland by Dr. Dirk and Lillian Bloemendaal. Her dad’s family practice would include the whole family helping with emergencies as patients would often show up at their home on Main Street. She was extremely proud of her father and loved to help him patch up patients.
After graduation, she went on to pursue a bachelor of arts degree from Hope College with a degree in music education with emphasis in piano. She married her high school sweetheart, John J. Walters, in May 1958 and began teaching elementary aged students. The family grew the following spring when the first of five natural children was born.
In August 1969, Betty and John purchased their forever home in Rockford when John became stationed at the Rockford State Police Post. With her piano expertise (as well as the organ), she became well known in Rockford and would play for many church services – starting out at the Rockford Reformed Church, then the Rockford United Methodist Church, and later Trinity Congregational Church.
Betty would play for weddings, funerals, and school functions, and later began teaching piano lessons in her home. She was known to challenge her students as she knew what her students were capable of all the while teaching them to love music. With her gift of modulation, she could make any singer feel ready to go on tour. She would substitute teach in and around Rockford and especially loved when she could fill in for a music teacher.
It was in Rockford that her husband, John, experienced troubled homes while on patrol. He would tell Betty, “Mum, we need to do something to help these young children.” Together, they became foster parents through Bethany Christian Services. They helped many children and even added to their roster when they adopted three of their fosters.
Competitive by nature, Betty enjoyed softball, bowling, and golf. There were even occasions where she upset the apple cart by beating her husband, John. She loved card games of all sorts, with the greatest being bridge.
Most of all she loved her family and her many pets she has had throughout the years. She relished in family gatherings and loved food, fellowship, and fun. Many card games were played at the table in her small kitchen.
Betty loved making homemade things and her house often smelled of fresh bread baking in the oven. She was always so excited to give away gifts made from knitting, sewing, wood working, etc. as they were made with love. Her latest gift to her family was of a framed puzzle as she always had a puzzle going on the card table. If you stopped by to visit, you were not allowed to leave without putting in just one more piece, right Ann and Molly?
Betty will be deeply missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her children, John (MaryLou) Walters, Lisa Knapp, Suzanne Walters (Kirby), Mary (Steve) VanDyke, Joe (Tiffany) Walters, Andrea (Matt) Walter and Mike Walters; many grandchildren and great grandchildren, many relatives and foster children.
Betty has been reunited with her husband, John; her parents and all of her siblings; her son, Ram Walters; her granddaughter, Erin Root; and many others who were lucky to know her.
A Celebration of Life luncheon (like an open house and not a funeral per her wishes) will be held on Saturday, Aug. 1 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rockford United Methodist Church, 159 Maple St. NE, Rockford.
Memorials contribution can be made to an animal rescue of your choice or any way to support her hometown of Rockford. You are welcome to share your memories of Betty online at pedersonfuneralhome.com.
Kaylie Geertman, 31
Kaylie Joy Geertman, 31, of West Olive, passed away peacefully into the arms of her loving Savior at her home on Monday, July 13, 2026, following a three-year battle with cancer.
Kaylie was born May 1, 1995, in Zeeland to Ken and Martha (Vander Meyden) Mast. She attended Zeeland Christian School and graduated from Holland Christian High School in 2013.
Kaylie graduated from Grand Rapids Community College and started working at Chemical Bank. While working at Chemical Bank, she met James Geertman and they later married in 2018. They were blessed with a beautiful daughter, Jolene, in 2022.
Kaylie was a lifelong member of Drenthe Christian Reformed Church. Her faith called Kaylie to work and witness. She went on several mission trips to the Dominican Republic, and she also gave her testimony during chapel at HCHS last year about living life with cancer.
Kaylie loved to be a stay-at-home mom. She also enjoyed doing thrift shopping, baking, crafts and sewing. Kaylie even ran her own sewing business, “Sew Sweetly.” Kaylie also enjoyed singing on the praise team at Drenthe CRC.
Kaylie is survived by her husband of eight years, James Geertman; their daughter Jolene; her parents, Ken and Martha Mast; parents-in-law, Terry and Kristi Geertman; brother, Nick and Casie Mast (Micah, Kendra), brother-in-law, Andrew and Samantha Geertman; grandparents, Rev. Calvin and Marjorie Vander Meyden, Jun and Sandy Geertman, and Beverly Jaarsma; and many extended family members.
A funeral service was held Friday, July 17 at Drenthe Christian Reformed Church, 6344 Adams St., Zeeland. Interment was in West Drenthe Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Drenthe Christian Reformed Church. Contributions will benefit COCREF-Hope Rising, and Mika’s Lunch in the Dominican Republic.
