Class Year: 1960

Patricia Helder ’67 Nordstrom

Patricia Helder Nordstrom of Ponce Inlet, Florida, passed away on August 23, 2021 after a long struggle with respiratory disease. Pat was born on May 4, 1945 in Holland, Michigan. She was the eldest of a brother, Bill, and later a sister, Mary Anne (Bunce). She attended Lincoln Elementary School, Washington Elementary School, E.E. Fell… Continue Reading →

Carol Bultman ’68 Van De Hoef

Carol Bultman ’68 Van De Hoef of Libertyville, Illinois, died on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. She was 74.She was born December 2, 1946, in Harvey, IL and passed away peacefully Thursday September 16, 2021 at Journey Care of Barrington. Carol graduated from Hope College in 1968. She owned and operated Lemstone in Hawthorn Mall for… Continue Reading →

William Van Eck ’68

William “Bill” Van Eck, age 74 of Rockford, passed peacefully from this life into the waiting arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ on Sunday, August 8, 2021. Bill was born to parents Marian (Vander Jagt) and William C. Van Eck. He is survived by his wife Jan, his children W. Todd (Jennifer) Van Eck, Kim… Continue Reading →

Charles Felix ’69

Charles Ray Felix passed away on September 17th, 2021 after a strong and challenging fight with cancer. He was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan on July 18, 1947 and adopted and raised by loving parents, Ray and Ruth Felix. Chuck was a high school graduate of Grand Rapids Christian, where he was a devoted member… Continue Reading →

Milt Nieuwsma ’63

Milt Nieuwsma ’63 of Holland, Michigan, authored a new book, Miracle on Chestnut Street: The Untold Story of Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence, published in December. It is intended especially for teens and young adults. Milt previously created—including conducting research for and writing—the Inventing America: Conversations with the Founders trilogy filmed at Hope… Continue Reading →

Harriet Wissink ’60 Engbers

On January 12, 2022, Harriet Millicent Engbers (Wissink) passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. Harriet was born in Muskegon, Michigan on June 20, 1938, to Reverend Charles and Geraldine Wissink. As a preacher’s kid, she moved between the west Michigan area and Wisconsin, graduating from Washington High School in Milwaukee. While in high… Continue Reading →

Roger Kleinheksel ’60

Rev. Dr. Roger Edwin Kleinheksel, age 83, of Holland, was called home into the arms of Jesus the morning of January 7, 2022. Roger passed away peacefully at home as a result of complications from Pulmonary Fibrosis.Roger was a member of First Reformed Church of Zeeland where he also served as an administrative pastor for 17… Continue Reading →

James Mohr ’60

James Mohr, of Hudsonville, passed away January 31, 2022. He lived a long, fulfilling life surrounded by loving family and friends. James graduated from Hudsonville High School and Hope College. Over his career, James worked in banking, and then for the State of Michigan teaching computer programming to adults with disabilities. After he retired, James fulfilled… Continue Reading →

Robert Thomson ’60

Robert James “Bob” Thomson, 86, St. Augustine, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on December 6, 2021. He was born in Detroit, MI and had been a resident of St. Augustine since 1969, moving here from Miami. Bob lost his hearing at the age of 7. However, he remarkably continued his education at… Continue Reading →

Sandra Ekster ’61 Bixel

Sandra J. Bixel, age 81, of Jenison, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 9, 2020. She was preceded in death by her parents, Lambert and Catherine Ekster. She will be dearly missed by her husband of almost 60 years, David Bixel; children, Paul (Teri) Bixel ’84, Carolyn (Michael) Garrett, Kimberly (Steven) Lauber; 9 grandchildren, Kaitlyn… Continue Reading →

Robert Brouwer ’61

Robert (Bob) Dale Brouwer, MD, age 81, died Thursday, Feb 17, 2022, in Kalamazoo, Michigan after a wonderful day of reminiscing, joking, and laughing with his daughters and his wife of 55 years, Sharon Brouwer at his hospital bedside. Bob was born in Zeeland, Michigan on October 14, 1940, to his late parents Jeanette (Everts) Brouwer and John L. “Jack” Brouwer and… Continue Reading →

Douglas De Jong ’61

Douglas Wells De Jong passed away at Advent health on Thursday, September 9, 2021. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Douglas Wells De Jong please visit our Sympathy Store. Continue Reading →

Jack Millard ’61

The Rev. Jack H. Millard, age 83 of Zeeland, passed away Saturday, March 5, 2022 at American House of Holland with his wife June (Veldheer) at his side. Jack was born in Plainfield, New Jersey March 22, 1938 to Arthur and Dorothy (Bird) Millard. He attended Rutgers University for 2 years, transferring to Hope College, Holland from… Continue Reading →

Richard Taubald ’61

Beloved husband, father, and son Richard passed away peacefully on December 18, after a 10 year battle with Multiple Myeloma surrounded by people who loved him dearly. Richard was born in West New York, New Jersey to Erna and Otto Taubald on November 7, 1938. He attended Memorial High School and then went on to Hope College,… Continue Reading →

William Tom ’61

William “Bill” Tom Sonoma native passed away suddenly in the home he had lived in for nearly 85 years. William “Bill” Tom collapsed from a heart attack while working on one of his many home improvement projects. Bill would have been 85 this month. He lived all his life (with the exception of college and military service) in the… Continue Reading →

Richard Buckley ’62

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Richard J. Buckley of Alexandria, Pennsylvania, born in Grand Ledge, Michigan, who passed away on August 8, 2021, at the age of 78, leaving to mourn family and friends. Family and friends are welcome to leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with… Continue Reading →

Andrew Sens ’62

Andrew Sens passed away on September 28, 2021. He was a retired Foreign Service Officer and long-time resident of the Cleveland Park neighborhood in Washington, DC. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Sens, and son, Drew Sens. Andrew enjoyed travel, cooking, reading and spending time with his family. No services will be held. We will miss him. Continue Reading →

Ervin Bolks ’64

Ervin Jay Bolks, age 80, of Minocqua, WI was called home by his Heavenly Father on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Ervin was born in Allegan, Michigan on October 14, 1941 to parents Myron and Juella Bolks. He grew up on the family farm in Dunningville, Michigan, attended a one-room schoolhouse through 8th grade, and graduated from Allegan… Continue Reading →

Susan Pfleeger ’64 Bolks

Susan Eileen (Pfleeger) Bolks, age 79, of Minocqua, Wisconsin died peacefully with family by her side and entered into the arms of her Abba Father on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 2:55 am. Susan was born in Geneva, Illinois on November 28, 1942 to George and Margaret (Andersen) Pfleeger. She grew up in Batavia, Illinois,… Continue Reading →

Lenora VandenBerg ’64 Koelbel

Lenora VandenBerg ‘64 Koelbel passed away on Saturday, November 6, 2021 after being diagnosed with COVID-19. Known to most as Norie, she was a kind, caring Christian with energy and passion for global education, understanding the past, and the power of the written word. Norie was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1942. In high school, she visited… Continue Reading →