Alida (TerHaar) Smeda

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Alida Smeda, aged 82, departed this earthly struggle on Sunday, October 3, 2021, and is now at rest in the arms of Jesus. Her example of love for her family and her trust and devotion to her Lord and Savior will never be forgotten by those who survive her: children, MaryAnn and Scott Roon and Bill and Lori Smeda; her grandchildren, Jeff and Danyelle Roon, Jeremy and Kassie Roon, Jordan and Holly Roon, Ashley and AJ Steigenga , Caitlin and Ben Bartelds ,and Lauren Smeda; her eleven “great-blessings” from heaven whom she adored; and many dear friends including Thea Komdeur and Pete and Karen Bottema. She will lovingly be remembered by her siblings Casey and Ruth TerHaar and Liz and Bill Biel. Ali was preceded in death by her husband John, in 2012, her parents Hendrick and Marie TerHaar, and her brothers Jos and Ted TerHaar. Ali was born during the turbulent and troubled times preceding WWII on the island of Java in Indonesia, where her father was stationed as a member of the Royal Dutch Indonesian Army. When Japan invaded, Ali and her mother and baby brother were captured and interned in a concentration camp for almost five years, while her father survived his time in a neighboring prisoner of war camp. In 1957, Ali and her family immigrated to the US. She savored her new life, the joys of a growing family, of dear friends, of church and singing in the choir, of her job at the VanderVeen’s Dutch store. In recent years, she courageously endured many physical challenges. And now, we rejoice that God’s amazing grace has brought her safely to her heavenly home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, October 7, 2021, at 11:00.a.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW, with Pastor Jim Evenhouse officiating. The burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home and Thursday from 10:00-10:45 am prior to the service.