Rev. Lloyd J. Wolters

To view the livestream of the service, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ku4xW5vKxUA Rev. Lloyd Wolters, age 92, was received into the welcoming arms of Jesus on October 7, 2022 following a brief but debilitating illness. Lloyd was born in Holland, MI. He graduated from Calvin College (now University) and taught for 2 years at Sheboygan Christian School. Realizing teaching was not his calling, he enrolled in Calvin Seminary. He married Catherine “Cass” in 1956 and together they served South Bend (IN) Chapel, Waterloo (IA) CRC, Bethel CRC, Fulton IL, Des Plaines (IL) CRC, Lamont (MI) CRC, and Saugatuck (MI) CRC. In 1990, Cass suffered a stroke and Lloyd took early retirement to care for her until she passed away in 2005. Then God surprised Lloyd with the delight of marrying Marjorie Vannette in 2007; they have served God’s calling faithfully and joyfully for the past 15 years. In 1992, Lloyd and his siblings followed their parents’ desire and sold part of the land they inherited to Laketown Township to be preserved for future generations to enjoy, known today as “Wolters Woods”. For Lloyd, the definition of family went far beyond the family tree. He had brothers and sisters in Christ around the globe, including many in India who affectionately called him "Uncle" and those in Bangladesh who called him "Grandpa". His heart for sharing the Gospel was infused into every interaction, from sermons in the pulpit to the conversations he had with nurses in the hospital, from his presentations about the Tabernacle and Aaron's Garments to the book "Meditations of my Heart" which he was able to finish by the grace of God before he died. On a personal level, Lloyd had a child-like playful side with a quirky sense of humor. He loved a good laugh, giving gag gifts to his children and saving funny greeting cards in his file cabinet so he could re-read them later. He could ride a bike backward by sitting on the handlebars, and after water skiing on Lake Macatawa he would climb back in the boat saying, "That was GLORIOUS!" He had a competitive streak as evidenced by many years’ worth of score sheets from games of Scrabble, Upwords, and Sequence. Upon winning, he would give a celebratory “high ten” to his teammate; upon losing, he would propose “another round”. Lloyd loved music, singing in choirs, quartets and duets, and playing his trombone in the Good News Gospel Band, ministering to people in nursing homes across West Michigan. At Christmas, he would play Handel's Messiah at full volume, reveling in the blend of Scripture and song. He loved walking hand-in-hand through Wolters Woods singing This Is My Father's World. Finally, he loved the Bible. He led a Bible study at the retirement community in Florida where he lived with Marjorie during the winter. In retirement he passionately volunteered with Audio Scripture Ministries (ASM), carrying an audio Bible in his pocket everywhere he went so he could tell everyone everywhere about the work of ASM. His greatest joy was knowing that his children and grandchildren are walking with the Lord, and he would want that for you as well. Lloyd was preceded in death by his first wife Catherine, to whom he was married for 48 years. He is survived and dearly missed by his wife of 15 years, Marjorie Vannette; children: Lauri & Keith Johnson, Jan & Bob Burkum, Ed Wolters, and Mary & Steve Fridsma; grandchildren Brian (Abigail) Burkum, Sara (Phil) Van Eck, Matt (Meghan) Johnson, Ryan Johnson, Jordan Fridsma, Lucas Fridsma; great grandchildren Livy & Sam as well as cherished bonus children Jim (Char) Vannette, Jon (Debbie) Vannette, Jeff (Lynn) Vannette, Vicki (Norm) Van Mersbergen, Joie (Phil) Wolters, and Jacie (Al) Kapenga, 38 bonus grandchildren and 88 great-grandchildren, all treasured and loved! He is also survived by his 3 sisters Ann Fredrickson, June Van Hoven, and Mary (Lynn) Wolters, and many dear nieces and nephews. Also predeceased by his daughter-in-law Sandra; parents, Edward & Laura Wolters, and his brother Dale. A memorial service honoring Lloyd will be held at 11:00am on Monday, October 10, 2022 at Central Ave. Christian Reformed Church, 259 Central Ave. Holland. Burial will be in Graafschap Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be given to: Audio Scripture Ministries, PO Box 1439, Holland, MI 49422.

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Rev. Lloyd J. Wolters

October 7, 2022