Class Year: 1980

Steven Bredeweg ’80

Steve Bredeweg, age 64, of Holland passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, September 25, 2022 and was welcomed into the joy of Heaven. Steve graduated from Hope College and was a member of Park CRC. He was an instructor/ coach at the community pool for 35 years where he caught everyone’s attention with his shrill whistle.… Continue Reading →

Trisca Rutledge ’89 Beasley

Trisca (Rutledge) Beasley passed away unexpectedly alongside her parents Bruce and Leah Rutledge in a tragic car accident on Monday, September 12. Trisca was born to Bruce and Leah in Waldron, MI on February 25, 1967. Trisca had lived in Manchester, MI, and most recently was planning to reside in Freeport, MI following her soon… Continue Reading →

Matt Soeter ’81

Matt Soeter ’81 lost his wife of 36 years, Grace Soeter in June 2021. He has subsequently married a widow, Becky Sue Maag Gagnon of Canyon Lake, California. He received a call in November 2021 to San Gabriel Presbyterian Church (ECO), a Chinese American congregation. Continue Reading →

Nancy DeWitte ’82 Condon

Nancy DeWitte ’82 Condon reports that many years after paddling across the U.S. in an open canoe, she has published an expedition account. Her adventure memoir is Paddle for Water, Canoeing across America with a Message and a Man I Never Intended to Marry. Armchair adventurers can now experience the trials, adventures, and achievements she… Continue Reading →

Linda Gruenberg ’86

Linda Gruenberg ’86 released a middle-grade historical novel called Blazes & Brimestone, inspired by the historic fire in Holland, Michigan, 1871. The book is about three children who rescue horses from a livery stable when the city of Holland, Michigan, burns down. She is currently living in Lapland, Sweden. Continue Reading →

Michael Dickinson ’87

The Hope College Alumni Association will present Distinguished Alumni Awards to Dr. Michael Dickinson ’87 and Sarah Sanderson ’03 on Saturday, April 29, during the banquet held as part of Alumni Weekend. Dickinson is a specialist in cardiovascular diseases and advanced heart failure and transplant with Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health Medical Group) in Grand… Continue Reading →

Alan Kieda ’80

Kieda, Alan D. Alan D. Kieda, age 67, of Cedar Springs, MI, died too soon on Friday, October 21, 2022. Although he’s bodily no longer with us, he’s now worry-free in his Lord and Savior’s arms. Alan was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on December 14, 1954. On December 23, 1978, he married Alyson Blue… Continue Reading →

Deborah Warnaar ’81

Deborah Lynn Warnaar (Debbie) died on October 15, 2022, at her home in Rockingham County, Virginia, after living with a rare cancer for five years. She was born on October 22, 1959 in Michigan and grew up in Grand Haven, on the shores of Lake Michigan.  Her parents Donald and Gail (Leonard) Warnaar instilled a… Continue Reading →

Andrew Bloemers ’86

Andrew “Andy” John Bloemers, age 60, of West Palm Beach, Florida passed away Sunday, November 13, 2022, at home, surrounded by his family after a courageous battle with cancer. Andy was born October 9, 1962, to Roger and Marie (Storkan) Bloemers in Grand Haven, MI. After graduation from Grand Haven High School in 1981, he… Continue Reading →

Linda Ruiter ’87 Verellen

erellen, Linda 6/15/1965 – 2/8/2023 Traverse City, MI The world is dimmer now as we announce the peaceful passing of our Lovely Linda. Linda was born on May 15, 1965 in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. She and younger brother John grew up in Spring Lake, MI raised by parents Jane and Allen Ruiter. Her work… Continue Reading →

Gaye van den Hombergh ’81

The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed four new members. The board’s new members are: Craig DeSousa ’72 of Garden City, New York; Liam Naumann ’25 of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Marissa Solorzano ’19 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Gaye van den Hombergh ’81 of Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Pictured clockwise starting from the top… Continue Reading →

John Ratmeyer ’83

John Ratmeyer ’83 and Liliana Ratmeyer have served Navajo (Dine’) and other Indigenous peoples (Zuni, Hopi, Acoma, Laguna, etc.) through their work at the Gallup Indian Medical Center (Gallup, New Mexico) for nearly 32 years: John as a pediatrician, and Liliana as a medical lab technologist. He reports that they look forward to retirement some… Continue Reading →

Scott Watson ’86

The Hope College Alumni Association Board of Directors has appointed four new members. The board’s new members are: Craig DeSousa ’72 of Garden City, New York; Liam Naumann ’25 of Wyckoff, New Jersey; Marissa Solorzano ’19 of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and Gaye van den Hombergh ’81 of Lincolnshire, Illinois. (Pictured clockwise starting from the top… Continue Reading →

Mark DeWitt ’87

Mark DeWitt ’87 is chief advancement officer at Evergreen Commons in Holland, Michigan, following a 17-year philanthropy career at Hope during which he led several initiatives including the development of the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts. He is building on a rich tradition of wellness, lifelong learning, travel, arts, disease physical function optimization… Continue Reading →

David Kuiper ’88

David Kuiper ’88 of Dart Bank has been named Alignable’s 2023 Local Business Person Of The Year. Alignable is the largest online referral network for small businesses. David was recognized as a leader who has gone above and beyond guiding peers and supporting entire communities. He is the vice president and senior mortgage banker at… Continue Reading →

Nancy Piatt ’81

Nancy Lee Piatt, age 63, passed away on April 10, 2023. She was born to John and Mary Elizabeth Piatt on June 7, 1959 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and married to her beloved husband, Greg Loucony, since March 29, 2007. Nancy was both a lifelong learner and educator, and was serious, but could be goofy. She loved life and… Continue Reading →

Sheryl Busman ’80 VanderWagen

Sheryl Busman ’80 VanderWagen recently retired from the Lakeland Library Cooperative, where she served as integrated library system manager for 21 years. She was also elected president of the North American Board of Antiochian Women, an organization of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America. She will serve a two-year term. Continue Reading →