Christa Leigh Veldkamp

April 5, 1992 ~
November 14, 2025

Christa Leigh Veldkamp, age 33, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, November 14, 2025 after a brief struggle with mental health.

Christa is survived by her parents Rick and Heather Veldkamp; siblings Kelly and Marc Schra and Eric Veldkamp; nephews Rowan, Ezra, and Cole Schra, along with many beloved family, including the Mennega Family, Veldkamp Family, Gun Lake Family, and wonderful friends from all areas of life.

She was preceded in death by her grandmother, Joan Mennega; grandparents, Harry and Vivian Veldkamp; cousin, Amy DeKock.

Christa brought so much joy to the people around her. She enjoyed water skiing, snow skiing, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, rock climbing, reading, playing with her nephews, spending time with family and friends, and taking care of the people in her life. She was always up for an adventure or trying new things. Christa was a dedicated Speech and Language Pathologist. She spent most of her time working with children and was deeply loved by her students and clients.

We are incredibly thankful that we were able to spend 33 years with Christa. She blessed us with many great memories and has left a lasting legacy on our lives. As her family, we encourage anybody who is struggling with mental health to seek help early and often. Reach out to your family, talk to your friends, see a counselor. While we do not understand the reason for Christa’s struggle, we are choosing to hold on to the hope we have in Jesus Christ and the assurance that we will see her again in heaven.

A Celebration of Life will be held 11 am Thursday, November 20, at Hillside Community Church, 1440 68th Street SE, Grand Rapids, with Rev. Ron Kool, officiating. Relatives and friends may meet the family Wednesday from 5-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Winning at Home.

Romans 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Visitation: Wednesday, November 19 | 5:00pm - 8:00pm

Visitation
Wednesday, November 19
5:00pm - 8:00pm

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508
Get Directions

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Celebration of Life: Thursday, November 20 | 11:00am

Celebration of Life
Thursday, November 20
11:00am

Hillside Community Church
1440 68th Street
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Get Directions

Leave Your Tribute Message

December 10, 2025

This breaks my heart, I was a patient while she was, we talked Jesus, played basketball and pickleball everyday (what a shooter!) and talked life. Grateful to have met her, she was a light in the dark during a rough time.

- William Doot

November 28, 2025

My daughter played on a freshmen girls basketball team at GR Christian and Christa was an assistant coach. The girls were 14 and Christa was probably only 18, but she was a quiet, calming and wise presence at practices and games, and I know my daughter really appreciated Coach Christa a great deal. We are so sorry for your loss.

- Phil de Haan

November 21, 2025

Celebration of life Service [url=https://youtu.be/1dzfGvokEoA]https://youtu.be/1dzfGvokEoA[/url]

- Heather Veldkamp

November 20, 2025

I worked with Rick on E-12 for a couple years (2002 -2004). He first shaved his head in solidarity with me after I returned to work after chemo. Best LT I ever worked with on the GRFD. I remember his young children coming by Division Station to visit their Dad. A few days ago, my mother-in-law sent me a poem by Wendell Berry: "The Loved Ones" a poem by Wendell Berry: The loved ones we call the dead depart from us and for a while are absent. And then as if called back by our love, they come near us again. They enter our dreams. We feel they have been near us when we have not thought of them. They are simply here, simply waiting while we are distracted among our obligations. At last it comes to us: They live now in the permanent world. We are the absent ones. -- David Parish

- David Parish

November 18, 2025

I had the pleasure of meeting Christa and her family many years ago at our golf course Mullenhurst, my first impression was , what’s beautiful, kind young lady. Their family organized a pretty big group from Shady Shores resort that came out every Sunday at 5:00 pm and they would all line up by the clubhouse and pick the scramble teams by something fun like, shoe size, birthdays, or many more interesting things. I am heartbroken so many of us will never see her beautiful smiling face, although, we have to rejoice in the fact that she was a Christian and that she is now in her eternal home. 1 John 5 :11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

- Denise Enyart Chamberlin

November 17, 2025

I had the pleasure of working with Christa at Uplift Michigan Online School. I recently joined the team in January of this year. Christa was among the first of the staff members to assist and answer my "rookie" questions. She was so kind and understanding. Her smile was beautiful. We shared students on our caseload. I know they loved working with her. I will always appreciate the time Christa and I had to work together. May wonderful memories and love always fill your hearts. Prayers for God's comfort and strength are sent to all of Christa's family and friends.

- Yvette Carter