Gary Engelsman, 75
Gary Lynn Engelsman, 75, of Holland, passed away on Thursday, Sept. 4, 2026.
Gary was born Nov. 30, 1950, in Zeeland to Kenneth and JoAnne (Walcott) Engelsman. He graduated from Zeeland High School in 1968, and he met Judith Rae Van Spyker. They were married in 1970, and raised their two sons together.
Gary worked for 42 years at Zeeland Chemical (Vertellus) until his retirement. He enjoyed his work and made great friends at Zeeland Chemical. He was often seen wearing his red Vertellus work jacket. Additionally, Gary enjoyed fishing, hunting out west, and deer hunting in West Michigan and Ohio.
He was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Engelsman; brother-in-law, Larry Van Spyker; and parents-in-law, Clifford and Bernice Van Spyker.
Gary is survived by his wife of nearly 56 years, Judith; sons, Nicholas and Michelle Engelsman of Ohio and Daniel Engelsman of Holland; mother, JoAnne Engelsman; siblings, James and Rhonda Engelsman, Randy and Cindy Engelsman, Kristi and Greg Cook, and Rick and Deb Engelsman; in-laws, Guyla Van Spyker, Thomas and Janice Van Spyker, and Janice and Calvin Schutte; and many extended family members.
A funeral service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 9 at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. Interment was in Zutphen Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland.
Carol Veenema, 82
Carol Ann Veenema, 82, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026.
Carol was born on June 27, 1944, in Drenthe to James and Beatrice Franken. She was one of three children and grew up in the Jamestown area. She graduated from Hudsonville High School in 1962. Carol worked in the medical and health services industry for many years.
Carol was preceded in death by her parents, James and Beatrice Franken; brother, Roger Franken; and her husband of 44 years, Andrew Veenema Jr.
She is survived by her children, Dawn Veenema, Julie DeBoer, and John (Linda) Veenema; grandchildren, Emily (Kyle) Kline, Lindsey DeBoer, Phillip DeBoer, Daniel (Katelyn) Veenema, Melissa (Sheldon) Walcott, Kelsie Veenema, and Matthew Veenema; great-grandchildren, Quinn Kline, Easton Veenema, Maverick Veenema, Ellory Walcott and Lennyn Walcott; sister, Ruth (Tom) Ysseldyke; as well as many nieces and nephews.
A private family gathering has been scheduled.
Donations can be made in Carol's honor to Meals on Wheels of West Michigan.
Berdena LePoire, 92
Berdena LePoire (nee Vander Slik), 92, of Zeeland, passed away peacefully at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026. She had battled kidney and heart failure for many years, but faced each challenge with resiliency and a strong will that all who knew her could attest was her strength.
Berdena was born and raised in Zeeland, the daughter of Grace and John Vander Silk, on Aug. 27, 1934.
Berdena married Rodger LePoire in 1950, and they had three children, Robert, Brenda (LePoire) Redner and Beth (LePoire) Molineux. When she wasn't fully occupied in her role as wife and mother, Berdena worked several jobs from nursing home assistant in Zeeland to working alongside Beth at a local McDonald's in Ontario, Calif. She has lived several places, first southern California and later northern California, each time to be closer to family. Eventually, they returned to Zeeland.
She is preceded in death by her brothers, Preston, Jerome and Gerald; sister, Hazel Koning; as well as by her husband, Rodger (Pete) Le Poire; and her youngest daughter's first husband, Graham Molineux.
Berdena is survived by her three children, Robert (Bob) LePoire, and his spouse Debbie, Brenda (Le Poire) Redner and her spouse Richard Redner, and Beth (Le Poire) Molineux and her spouse Andrew DeLaTorre; grandchildren, Matthew Le Poire and his wife, Amanda, Ashley (Le Poire) Williams, and her husband Casey Williams, Ryan Redner and his wife Kathryn, Andrew Redner and his wife Ali, Christopher Redner and his wife Breanna, Katherine (Redner) Anderson and her husband, Ryan, Huw Molineux, Jake Molineux, and Rachel Molineux; and great-grandchildren, Benjamin Le Poire, Samuel Le Poire, Henry Williams, Cody Williams, Adelyn Redner, Caleb Redner, Ellie Redner, Ezrie Redner, Raelie Redner, and Storie Redner.
The family wishes to express its tremendous gratitude for the wonderful support and care Berdena received from Royal Atrium Inn in Zeeland and the Oaks at Jamestown in Hudsonville. The family also wish to thank several health care workers who lived nearby and would visit Berdena regularly and even bring their children: Andrew, Andy, Robilynn, Anders, and Dr. Dirk Schrotenboer.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Sept. 5 at First Reformed Church, 148 E. Central Ave., Zeeland. Burial was in Zeeland Cemetery.
Betty Urban, 82
Betty Lois Urban, 82, was peacefully welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, in Holland.
Betty was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother to many who adored her. She could be described best as joyous and grateful with an infectious laugh combined with a loving and protective presence about her that provided comfort to everyone around her. Betty was a woman of faith with a gentle spirit who leaves behind a legacy rich in devotion, quiet strength, and unconditional love.
Betty Lois Southern was born on Dec. 15, 1943, in Manila, Ark. She attended Holland High School where she ultimately met the love of her life and future husband, Paul Joseph Urban. Paul and Betty became husband and wife on Aug. 29, 1964.
After high school, Betty attended Beauty School and became a beautician. Betty worked at multiple beauty parlors, including Margret’s in Holland until Paul built her a beauty salon within their home, where she worked from home doing hair and nails while their daughters were young. As their daughters got older, Betty was employed at Hart and Cooley in Holland for approximately 15 years. Eventually, Betty moved on from Hart and Cooley and went back to her passion as a nail technician in Zeeland at Studio 119 where she also worked with her daughter, Michelle.
In June 2008, Paul was diagnosed with multiple myeloma. Betty and Paul subsequently moved to Arkansas in an effort to seek the best treatment available at the time. Paul fought courageously until February 2010 when he ultimately succumbed to cancer.
In her later years, Betty faced the gradual and courageous battle of living with dementia. While dementia slowly reshaped her memories, it could not erase her warmth or her joyful spirit.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Paul Joseph Urban; parents, Marshall and Earline Bryan; brother, James Bryan; sister, Carol Klemple; and her dog, Josie.
Betty is survived by her daughters, Michelle (Curt) Den Uyl and Tracy (Kurt) Knapp, both of Holland; grandchildren, Andrew (Becky) Rathbun and their children Zachary and Zoey, Corey (Kara) Den Uyl and their children Emree and Ava, Cameron Den Uyl, and Aubrey (Logan) Forist; brother, Keith Bryan; brother-in-law, Tom Hindert (Pam Barnaby); step-grandchildren, Mike and Nichole Knapp and their children Hudson and Ryder, and Austin Knapp and his son, Emmett, and Brad (Jessica) Grimes and their children, Gavin and Blake.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions may be made to Emmanuel Hospice (emmanuelhospice.org) 401 Hall St. SW #263; Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Home-Downtown Chapel.
Amy Haveman, 90
Amy Virginia Haveman, 90, passed away Friday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Zeeland.
Amy was born on Aug. 29, 1935 in Chicago to Ernst Clyde Boyle and Eva Lorena (Griffin) Boyle. The family, including Amy and her two younger siblings, Eva and William (Billy), lived in the slums of Chicago, moving quite a few times. Her father, Ernst, worked with the Pere Marquette Railway Company (and later C&O) as a fireman and engineer.
The family moved to Holland when Amy was in second grade, where they first lived in the Hollander Hotel for a short time, near where the depot is today. Next, they moved to 45 E. 12th St., a large Victorian house. This was during World War II, and the family would huddle around a small light during air raid blackouts. Next the family moved to the downstairs apartment at 220 S. 120th Ave., which had one sink, no bathtub, and no hot running water.
The children began attending the Holland City Mission for Sunday School, where Amy and her two siblings each professed salvation. Amy was also in Blue Birds, which brought another very important person into her life, Julie Koenes. In addition, one of Amy’s elementary teachers, Betty Poppema, was also a tremendous influence, basically taking her into her home and providing valuable nurturing.
When Amy was 15 years old, she met and began dating Leon Beyer. When she was 18, during her senior year at Holland High School, she moved out of her parents’ house, and after staying briefly at Lee’s family’s home, she got her own apartment on 17th Street in Holland.
During high school, Amy already had more than enough credits for graduation, so she signed up for co-op and worked at McLellen’s Dime Store, working the candy counter, at Kresge’s, Had’s Drive-In restaurant, and at the Snack Shack restaurant. Each of these jobs was on 8th Street, and she walked to work and back every day.
From a young age, Amy showed a great talent for singing, even being “pulled up” a grade to be able to sing in an elite high school choir. Her voice teacher offered to take her to Europe for further training, telling her she could be famous. However, Amy repeatedly affirmed that she wasn’t seeking fame and fortune, but would rather use her voice for the Lord. She sang in church choirs, sang as special music for church services, and sang in the Metropolitan Choir of Praise for many years. In later years, Amy was in several plays/musicals with Red Barn Theatre and Holland Theatre.
During high school, Amy also participated in Dutch Dance in Holland’s annual Tulip Festival. She reprised that role in later years by dancing alumni.
When she graduated from High School, Amy married Lee Beyer on October 29, 1953. They first lived in an upstairs apartment on 16th St., and later bought a home on 35th Street. Four children were born to them: Nancy, Cathy, Laura, and Sandy. They were divorced in 1963, and Amy and the children moved to a home on East Ottogan in Holland.
Shortly thereafter, Amy married Jason Haveman, and together they had Scott, Diane, Sheila, and Jamie. They built a home on Beeline Road in 1966, where the children grew up on 30 acres. During this time numerous foster children were also brought into the family.
Amy won multitudes of blue ribbons at the fair for her cooking and baking, and even won Allegan County’s “Young Homemaker of the Year” in 1970. She also sewed a lot, making many outfits for her family. She loved and collected antiques, and dreamed of opening her own shop called “Juke Box Café Antiques” which would also include an old-fashioned ice cream and malt shop.
Jas and Amy divorced in 1976, and Amy went back to school to earn her nursing degree. After graduating in 1983, she worked in some facilities, and did in-home healthcare for many patients of a wide range of ages.
In June of 2002, Amy sold her home on Beeline Road, and fulfilled her dream of renovating an old house which was on the Kalamazoo River, and furnishing it with antiques.
In 2022, the Riverhouse was sold and Amy moved into an independent living apartment at Addington Place at Lakeside Vista on 40th in Holland. She lived there until early 2025, when she was moved to the Memory Care Unit at Riley’s Grove in Zeeland. She died of a stroke on Aug. 25, 2026.
Amy is survived by her eight children, 31 grandchildren, and 47 great-grandchildren.
Amy’s wish was to be cremated and her ashes strewn in the Kalamazoo River, which she loved. She requested no visitation or service.
