Class Year: 1970

Gwendolyn Nystrom ’79 Cartier

It is with great sadness that the family of Gwendolyn H. Cartier (Bocks) announces her passing after battling Alzheimer’s, on Thursday, May 16, 2019, at the age of 77. Gwen was born in Cadillac, MI. A gifted vocalist, she attended Alma College on a vocal scholarship and performed as a soloist and in choruses for… Continue Reading →

Donald Williams ’79

Dr. Donald Edward Williams, 61, of Rochester, passed away on Sunday, March 17, 2019. Donald was born Oct. 2, 1957, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Edward and Joan (Held) Williams. In 1972, he moved with his family to Minnesota, where he was a graduate of Wayzata High School. Donald went on to receive his bachelor’s degree… Continue Reading →

Mark DeRoo ’73

  Mark DeRoo ’73 of Holland, Michigan, summited Mt. Kilimanjaro on June 20 with three friends. True to his alma mater, he’s holding a Hope pennant. Mark and the team dedicated the climb to his wife, Roxanne, who passed in 2018 from early-onset Alzheimer’s. The team raised over $70,000 to aid in research for this… Continue Reading →

Rich Williams ’75

Rich Williams ’75 of Albuquerque, New Mexico, received the 2019 award in Distinguished Community Leadership during the annual meeting of the New Mexico chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects. He retired in May after 16 years as the director of New Mexico MainStreet in the state’s Economic Development Department. He now is principal… Continue Reading →

James Cannon ’76

James Cannon ’76 has recently been appointed assistant wrestling coach at RochesterInstitute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, New York. He reports that he is very excited to be working in a college setting. Continue Reading →

Dennis Miller ’76

Dennis Miller ’76 received his Plant-BasedProfessional Culinary Certificate from RouxbeOnline Culinary School on Sunday, Aug. 4. As a new member of the American College Lifestyle Medicine, he is enrolling in eCornell’s(T. Colin Campbell’s) Plant-Based NutritionCertification from the Center for Nutrition Studies. He will be retiring from his family dental practice after 40-plus years this month… Continue Reading →

Lynne Kurzenberger ’76 Wissink-Tressler

A  traffic signal about 1,300 miles from Hope led to a new friendship for Russ Kraay ’49 and Lynne Kurzenberger ’76 Wissink-Tressler. Lynne was waiting at a red light in Fort Myers, Florida, when she noticed a Hope license plate frame on the vehicle ahead of her. The other driver went straight and she turned… Continue Reading →

Elizabeth Elliott ’77 McBride

Elizabeth Elliott ’77 McBride has published a book of poetry and prose about Glen Arbor and the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, Most Beautiful, released on Tuesday, Nov. 5. As a poetic tour of the area, the fully illustrated book (artwork by Connie Cronenwett), both introduces and commemorates the unique beauty and grandeur of the region. Continue Reading →

Conley Zomermaand ’77

Conley Zomermaand ’77 is in his 39th year of ordained ministry in the RCA and the PCUSA, having held four installed and 11 interim positions along the way. He is currently serving as interim pastor at Riverside Presbyterian Church, Jacksonville, Florida, and continues to be pleasantly surprised at the number of Hope College and western… Continue Reading →

Deanna Burke ’70 Hansen

Deanna Marie ( Burke) Hansen, age 70, of Spring Lake, MI, formerly of Holland, MI, passed away on August 9, 2019, after suffering an unexpected heart attack mid-July. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Arthur Hansen, in 2000. She is survived by her parents, Patricia and Walter Burke, her sisters Pamela Burke,… Continue Reading →

Keith Jones ’70

Keith O. Jones passed away September 8, 2019 at River Pines Long Term Care Facility. He is finally at peace after a long illness of Parkinsons with Lewy Body Dementia. Keith was born April 13, 1939 in Montreal, Canada, to Barbara and Arthur Jones. At age one the family moved to Staten Island, N.Y., where… Continue Reading →

Barbara Sickels ’70 Zenno

Family and friends are mourning the loss of their beloved Barbara J. Zenno (Phoenix, Arizona), who passed away Aug. 12, 2019 at the age of 71. She leaves behind her husband John Zenno, her three sons Jeffery Zenno (Robin Zenno), Gregory Zenno and Timothy Zenno (Kelly Armstrong), her sister Kathy Penza (Joe Penza), her brother… Continue Reading →

Karen Schamper ’71 Schra

Karen Joy Schra, 80, of Holland, passed away Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at Zeeland Hospital. Karen was a graduate of Zeeland High School, Hope College ( BA) and the University of Michigan ( masters degree) and taught at Fennville Public Schools for 20 years. She was a member of First Reformed Church of Holland. Karen… Continue Reading →

Steven Klingenberg ’73

Steven E. Klingenberg, age 67, of Saugatuck, MI, and Ft. Lauderdale, FL, died peacefully Wednesday, August 7, 2019, at Spectrum Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI. Born in Holland, Steve graduated from Holland High School class of 1969. He was co-owner of Major Brands Oil and Performance Plus Oil Changes. He is survived by his sons,… Continue Reading →

James Ticknor ’73

James C. Ticknor, or Tick to his close friends, died peacefully Monday morning in Jackson, MI after a long and brave battle with cancer. Jim grew up in St. Joseph, MI and graduated from SJHS and then Hope College. He moved to Ann Arbor, MI in 1973, and began a 35 year career teaching elementary school… Continue Reading →

Laura Wheatley ’75 Smith

Laura Lynne Smith, 66, loving wife, committed mother and adoring grandmother, left this world on July 11, 2019 – taken to a new home on the wings of angels. A long-time resident of Middleville, Laura truly resided in the hearts and souls of her family. Born in Wyandotte on June 3, 1953 to parents Lenny… Continue Reading →

Kathryn Page ’72 Camp

Kathryn Page ’72 Camp has published her second middle-grade historical novel under the name Kaye Page. Creating Esther is about a 12-year old Native American girl who loves her life on an Ojibwe reservation, but it is 1895 and the old ways are disappearing. Continue Reading →

Joyce Lambert ’72 Kievit

Joyce Lambert ’72 Kievit retired from her full-time position as an editor and professor. She now teaches and designs curriculum part-time for Colorado State University, Global Campus. Continue Reading →