Ann Nieuwstraten

Ann Nieuwstraten, age 90, of Jenison, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Courage, strength, and humility are the words that best describe Ann. In response to the winter freeze of 1976-77, Ann believed she could have better provided housing and care for the seniors who died from the cold. In 1978, Ann, along with her husband, Jack, started Oak Crest Communities. Using her nurse’s training, Ann established high standards for resident care, meal preparation, and cleaning that became a goal few businesses in the senior living communities could achieve. The company grew and built facilities in Kentwood, Jenison, Holland, and Spring Lake. After Ann retired, she continued to care for the community by volunteering for Harbor House Ministries and The Navigators Urban Youth Ministry for many years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Nieuwstraten; son, John Nieuwstraten; and granddaughter, Angela Schipper. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Patricia (David) Pontier, Kathy Schipper, Jacqueline (Henry) Bouma; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Suzanne Koser, Scott and Cindy Pontier (Isaac, Jonah), Matthew and Erin Schipper (Faith, Owen, Reece, Tate), Kelly and David Coneys (Eleanor, Lily, James), Henry and Kim Bouma (Karolyn, Hank), Luke and Jessica Bouma (Laura, Adam); sister, Riet (Jan) Lems; brothers-in-law and sister-in-law, Hank Elzinga, Jim and Jean Nieuwstraten; beloved nephew, James Zylstra; and many nieces and nephews. With grateful hearts, the family would like to give special thanks and gratitude to Julie Wielenga and the rest of the staff at Beechwood Manor and the staff at Emmanuel Hospice for their tender care. Funeral services will be held on Monday, July 29, at 11 a.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Pastor Barb Sanders officiating. The burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Monday from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Harbor House Ministries or The Navigators Urban Youth Ministry.