Emery Blanksma, Jr.

Emery Blanksma, Jr. age 83, of Holland, passed to his God's glory on Monday, May 31, 2021. Click here to view the funeral service. https://www.facebook.com/162113063827221/videos/2629364060693725 Emery was the son of Emery and Lottie (Delange) Blanksma. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Thelma Blanksma and Walter and Susan Blanksma and brother-in-law, David Krebs. He was a member of Fellowship Reformed Church where he served as elder, deacon and youth leader. Emery grew up on a farm and loved to talk about his years as a young man on the farm. He graduated from Ottawa Hills High School where he met Sharon. He married his high school sweetheart and they started a family. Emery worked for Country Fresh Dairy after graduating from Ferris State College. He kept his family supplied with all the ice cream and milk they could eat and drink! He then worked for Hope College and became the Maintenance Supervisor. He loved working in the Hope College Maintenance Department and kept the buildings and grounds in tip top shape. He retired early to join his wife Sharon in the mission field for the Reformed Church. He and Sharon spent 10 years in Kenya where they ran a health clinic and managed a mission station and school in the West Pokot region of Kenya. Emery loved his time in Kenya and often told many stories of his adventures. His love for the Pokot people is a huge part of his legacy. Sharon and Emery still have many friends in Kenya. After leaving Kenya, Emery and Sharon moved to Glen Arbor, MI enjoying the beauty of the Leelanau Peninsula and forged lasting memories with friends from Glen Lake Reformed Church. They led mission trips back to Kenya to visit and assist the Pokot in transitioning the mission manned by RCA personnel to a self supporting mission run by the Pokot. Emery is survived by his wife of 63 years, Sharon; children Laurie and Charlie Snedeker, Michael Blanksma and Aaron Edwards, Julie and Keith Sauter, grandchildren Samuel Snedeker and Anne Comperchio, Leigh Anne Snedeker and Derek Detman, Zachary Sauter, Alexandra and Richard Rogalla, great grand-children Jackson and Max; brother, Henry Blanksma, sister Sue Krebs; sister-in-law June and Michael VanderVeen; and many nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Fellowship Reformed Church, 2165 West Lakewood Blvd, Holland with Rev. James Baar and Rev. Nathaniel Schipper officiating. A time of visitation and fellowship will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to Pokot Scholarship Fund – Kenya. This fund was started by Sharon and Emery so Pokot girls could go to school and continue their education. Visit https://www.rca.org/give/pokot-scholarships-kenya/ to make a contribution.

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Emery Blanksma, Jr.

June 24, 1937 - May 31, 2021