Lavern Edewaard

Lavern D. Edewaard, age 91, passed away on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. Vern Edewaard, born August 24, 1934, lived a full life of adventure and leadership. He was born and raised in Holland MI, graduated from Holland Christian and Calvin College. He had an entrepreneurial spirit and had a variety of careers including teaching High School Biology, Pharmaceutical sales, Dry Cleaners ownership, and various Real Estate developments all over Michigan. Vern also had a variety of interests and was a Charter Member of Bethany Christian Reformed Church with many positions served. Hunting was always a big part of his life which brought him to be in leadership in the Holland Fish and Game Club, Ducks Unlimited, Wildlife Unlimited (eventually becoming the Outdoor Discovery Network), and Safari Club International. Although he traveled the world many times over, saw and did more than most people wil ever think of seeing, he was most proud of his family and mellowed beautifully to enjoy watching their Great Grands running around their home, even if they were tugging at some taxidermy. He loved learning, he loved Gods creation, and it was very common to hear him pray that faith in God would be passed on to the next generations by his kids and Grandchildren. He is proceeded in death by his parents, Julia and Menno Edewaard; parents in law, Marie and Henry Gort; his brother and sister in laws, Sandra & Carl Edewaard, Morris Gort, Lucille & Arnold Blaukamp; and a great-grandson, Theodore Groenink. Serving alongside him and surviving is his dedicated and loving wife Carol (Gort), with whom they recently celebrated 68 years of marriage. Together they raised their four sons, Steve and Wendy, Jeff and Rosetta, Randy and Jodie, and Jim and Stacy. They in turn were blessed to have ten Grandchildren and seventeen Great Grandchildren with two more on the way. He is also survived by in-law, Glenda Gort, and Kristi & Tim Rigterink. He will be missed by his family and friends locally and internationally. Carol and the rest of the family will forever be grateful for his love, leadership, and Faith. Visitation with the family is scheduled for 6:00-8:00pm Friday, September 12, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E 16th St., Holland. Funeral services are planned for 11:00am Saturday, September 13, at Maranatha Christian Reformed Church, 918 Central Ave. Holland, MI 49423 with Rev. Matthew Stob officiating. Burial will be at East Saugatuck Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to: Zeeland Christian at www.zcs.org or by mail to 334 W Central Ave. Zeeland, MI 49464, Holland Christian Schools at http://hollandchristian.org or by mail to 956 Ottawa Ave. Holland, MI 49423, Hospice of Holland at www.hollandhospice.org or by mail to270 Hoover Blvd, Holland, MI 49423, or the ODC Network at www.outdoordiscovery.org or by mail to 4214 56th St. Holland, MI 49423. Condolences may be left online at www.langelandsterenberg.com

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Lavern Edewaard

August 24, 1934 - September 9, 2025