Lois Stegink

Lois (“Loie”) Mae (Volkers) Stegink, age 95, of Grand Rapids, joined members of her family and her Lord in heaven on Saturday, March 4, 2023. Lois was born in Holland, Michigan, to John and Anna (Smith) Volkers. As a minister’s wife, Lois adapted to life in locations across the country: Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, suburban New Jersey and Detroit, Iowa’s pig farming country, the north woods of Michigan, and the plains of northwest Minnesota. At their first church in Rudyard, this city girl from Holland, Michigan cooked over a wood-fired iron stove and managed to entertain the church folks with delicious victuals. If anyone lived the principle of “All Belong,” Lois did. It didn’t matter to her whether they thought or believed as she did; she welcomed everyone and anyone into her home and circle as a friend. Lois treated everyone with love, respect, kindness, and amazing food, which was served on a beautiful table with a centerpiece as simple as a flower in a glass. She loved to play games – especially with her grandchildren – and loved to laugh that unmistakable Lois laugh that could be heard throughout the house. The jobs she chose as wife, homemaker, mother, and teacher brought out her deep care for everyone she was with. At the same time, she handled the logistics of all the roles and people involved with grace and her quick sense of humor. Words can’t express how deeply her family appreciates the love and support she gave – selflessly – to make the lives of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren better. Lois is survived by her children: Steven and Sally Stegink, of Grand Rapids, Thomas Stegink and Kathleen Griffin of Kalamazoo, Philip and Jill Stegink of Rockford, and Lisa Stegink and Michael Erickson of Chicago, IL; grandchildren: Amanda (Ryan) Ladewig, Christiana (David) Kroondyk, Ryan Griffin-Stegink and Ariel Ranieri, Rebecca (Ryan) Prohaska, Natalie (John) Sinclair, and Marjorie Erickson; great-grandchildren: Reed Ladewig, Addison Ladewig, and Aubrey Prohaska. Lois is also survived by many well-loved sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Lois was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Martin Stegink, her parents, her granddaughter Anna Elizabeth Stegink, sister Gladys Beckman and brother-in-law William Beckman, brother Jay Volkers and sisters-in-law Sarah Volkers and Mildred Volkers. A memorial service will be 12 noon Thursday, March 9, 2023, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St. Holland. Burial will take place prior to the service at Pilgrim Home Cemetery. A time for fellowship and refreshments will follow the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to All Belong Center for Inclusive Education (former CLC) www.allbelong.org.

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Lois Stegink

April 28, 1927 - March 4, 2023