Rev. Dick Merle Stravers

Rev. Dick M. Stravers, born November 7, 1927, died on January 12, 2026, at the Warm Friend retirement facility in downtown Holland, Michigan. He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Sarah (Vos) Stravers, and by four older brothers: Gilbert, Tony, Joe, and Jerry. He is survived by his loving wife of 74 years, Ruth (Ver Meer) Stravers, and by his sister Janiece (Stravers) Monsma. He is also survived by his children: Rick, Mary, Joy, and Amy, and their spouses; plus 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews, scattered throughout the United States and Canada. Dick loved growing up on a farm 12 miles north of Pella, Iowa, walking a mile every day for 9 years to a one-room country school. After graduating from the 8th grade, he attended Pella Public High School and graduated in 1946. That summer, he and 10 classmates joined America's occupation army and he served for a year in a peacekeeping mission in Italy. The G.I. bill made it possible for him to attend college, after which he taught Latin at Grand Rapids Christian High School. Then he felt called to enter seminary, becoming ordained as a pastor at the age of 36. He served churches in Cleveland, Ohio; and in Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids, Michigan, retiring in 1992. His retirement years were a wonderful gift from God. He continued to preach and visit the sick and elderly in a number of churches in the Holland area, especially Pillar and Holland Heights Christian Reformed until age 85. He loved camping with his family. During his final years, his favorite activity was reading: the Bible, autobiographies, memoirs, and books dealing with the stormy political situation in the United States. He loved having the freedom to spend precious time conversing with his children, grandchildren, friends, and strangers. Many of those conversations occurred on the bench in front of their home on 8th street, where he delighted in the stories people shared with him. The family thanks the loving people at Faith Hospice, Warm Friend, Pillar Church, and the community of Holland for the wonderful joy and care they brought to his days. His response to all this was, "I feel the love." Visitation with the family is 10:00-10:45 am on Monday, January 19, 2026, at Pillar Church, 57 East 10th St. Holland, MI 49423. Memorial services will be at 11:00 am on Monday at Pillar Church. A private family burial to take place in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial gifts in Dick's honor be given to Community Action House at www.communityactionhouse.org/hzfc or by mail to 739 Paw Paw Dr, Holland, MI, 49423. www.langelandsterenberg.com

Tributes

Rev. Dick Merle Stravers

November 7, 1927 - January 12, 2026