Alvin “Al” Koetje, age 89, of Jenison, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 12, 2026. He was born on February 27, 1937, in Vogel Center, Michigan, the second youngest of eight children.

A graduate of Northern Michigan Christian High School, Al moved to Grand Rapids at the age of 19 to live with his sister, Kaye, and her family. He began working for Consumers Power Company where he faithfully served for 42 years, concluding his career in the meter services department. Throughout his life, Al believed that every person deserved respect, often saying you should treat the janitor just as well as you would the president.

Soon after moving to Grand Rapids, Al was introduced to the love of his life, Carol Buikema after his sister and Carol’s friends arranged a date. They were married on September 21, 1961, and made their home in Grandville where they raised their three children.

Al was a devoted member of South Grandville Christian Reformed Church, where he served on the consistory and sang in the choir. Following retirement, he and Carol found great joy in delivering backpacks of food each week to local elementary schools. Al also enjoyed a variety of part-time jobs, but his favorite was delivering and picking up tuxedos for Bunny Tuxedo with Carol by his side. 

A gifted handyman, Al loved puttering in his workshop, transforming scraps of wood into shelves of every imaginable shape and size. He and Carol also shared a love for travel, especially to Hawaii where they vacationed an incredible 25 times. His children and grandchildren will always remember his legendary stash of napkins and tissues - enough to make any Dutchman proud. Above all, Al was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. His faith guided his life, and his greatest joy was his family.

Al was preceded in death by his beloved “honey,” Carol Koetje, to whom he was a devoted husband for 63 years; his parents, John and Tillie Koetje; siblings, Marge (Jay) VanSteenis, Til (Rich) Herweyer, Kaye (Ed) Boelema, Joan (Jay) Sikkema, Clarence (Eleanor) Koetje, Carl (Jean) Koetje, and Rich Koetje. He is lovingly remembered by his children, Sue (Tim) Tacoma, Jim (Lisa) Koetje, and Kathy VanKalker; grandchildren: Ben (Hananiah) Tacoma, Tom (Ashley) Tacoma, Alex (Emily) Tacoma, Alan (Dana) Koetje, Anna (Aubrey) Conrad, Curtis (Anya) Koetje, Isaak VanKalker, Ashlee VanKalker; 12 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law, Judy Koetje; and many cherished nieces, nephews, extended relatives, and friends.

A celebration of Al’s life will be held at 11 am on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Pastor John Witvliet and Pastor Ben Tacoma as co-officiants. Burial will take place at Grandville Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Friday from 10-10:45 am at the funeral home prior to the service. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Waterford Place Assisted Living and Memory Care as well as Faith Hospice for the kindness, compassion, and loving care they provided to Al. Each staff member held a special place in his heart. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Sunset Legacy Foundation.