Kenneth and Mary Geurink

Kenneth Lee Geurink (July 14, 2017) & Mary Ann Nykamp Geurink (July 15, 2017) Ken, 71, and Mary, 70, unexpectedly went to be with their Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, after their motorcycle was struck by vehicles involved in an accident that was occurring as they were riding by. Ken was born on August 21, 1945 as the middle of 5 children to Gradus and Hazel (Bonzelaar) Geurink in Holland, MI. Mary was born on October 4, 1945 as the youngest of 5 children to Peter and Mary (Zwagerman) Nykamp in Zeeland, MI. The two were high school sweethearts, who would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this fall. While officially retired, they were currently working for Brinks Farms and Dr. York respectively. They were active members of Gibson Christian Reformed Church while living in Holland, and later joined Mason County Reformed Church after moving to Walhalla, Michigan. The two were highly involved in church activities, with Ken serving as deacon and elder, while Mary played piano during services. Additionally they lead Cadets and Calvinettes, and taught Sunday School classes. Their zeal for the Lord was evident to everyone who knew them. Ken and Mary preferred to do everything together, and not even death could separate them. Ken especially enjoyed hunting, fishing, flying, watching NASCAR, and hanging out on the river with his dog Kody. Mary also took pleasure in flying and fishing, and was often found reading and solving Sudoku puzzles in front of the river. But they were happiest when surrounded by family, most especially their beloved grandchildren. Upon retirement, Ken and Mary turned their home into a sanctuary for their family and friends to visit, adhering to the saying that "Heaven seems a little closer in a house beside the water." Ken and Mary are survived by their 3 children and 7 grandchildren: Amy (Andy) Young of Battle Creek; Kristin (Rick) Hartman of Grand Rapids, and their daughters Paige and Kelly; and Bryan (Anita) Geurink of Zeeland and Lesotho, and their children Elijah, Faith, Mercy, Polita, and Nthabeleng. Also surviving are siblings: Terry (Kathy) Geurink of Marble Falls, TX; Sharon Rowder of Holland; Linda (Ron) Ludema of Holland; Vern (Mary) Geurink of Holland; Paul (Joan) Nykamp of Paradise Valley, Arizona; Dort (Joe) Czerkies of Douglas; two sisters-in-law: Norma (Edward) Postma of Grand Rapids and Loie (Dale) Hulst of Holland; and numerous nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by his parents: Hazel & Grad Geurink. Mary was preceded in death by her parents Mary & Peter Nykamp, and two brothers Roger Nykamp and John Nykamp. A handful of years ago, Mary wrote about their life for a family heritage book. "As in the story book, I married my high school sweetheart who swept me off my feet literally. He was then and still is a pilot and we love to fly. His parents started Tulip City Airport in Holland. We are still life partners and best friends today. Ken taught this indoor bookworm to love the outdoors and the beauty of nature. I went to Calvin College and Blodgett Memorial Hospital School of Nursing and obtained My RN there. Ken and I were married at First Christian Reformed Church in Zeeland by Reverend Robert Nykamp on November 10, 1967. I worked mostly at Holland Hospital in Med/Surge, but later ended up in home care, retiring from Holland Home Care as director in 2001. Ken worked at West Shore Construction doing asphalt paving and retired as vice president of operations, also in 2001. The Lord blessed us so richly throughout the years so we decided to retire in 2001 at the age of 55 in order that we might return that blessing to others by working for Him. Since our retirement, we sold our home in Holland and moved to a little chalet in the middle of the Manistee National Forest along the Pere Marquette River, where we both love to go fly fishing. We spend most of our time volunteering, however, mostly for the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee doing disaster relief work throughout the United States. We enjoy this work very much and have found that we are blessed much more than we are a blessing to others." Friends and family are invited to visit from 4-8 PM on Friday, July 21 at Langeland Sterenberg Funeral Home at 315 E. 16th Street in Holland. A celebration of life service will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, July 22 at Graafschap Christian Reformed Church at 5973 Church St. in Holland. Interment will immediately follow at Graafschap Cemetery, followed by a luncheon at the church. Condolences and favorite memories may be shared with the family at www.langelandsterenberg.com Memorial contributions may be made to Beautiful Gate, in memory of Ken and Mary, by visiting http://www.beautifulgatelesotho.org. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord!

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Kenneth and Mary Geurink