Ena (Goedknegt) Witte

Ena (Goedknegt) Witte, age 96, of Kentwood, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, February 25, 2018. Ena was born in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands to Teunis and Sophia Goedknegt. During World War II, she married John Witte and was blessed with 65 years of married life before John passed away. Ena's deep faith and trust in God was evident throughout her life. As a young wife and mother, she and John were involved in the Dutch resistance, taking in strangers and helping them flee for their lives. Together they immigrated to the United States in 1956 with seven children, leaving family and friends behind and not knowing what God had in store for them. Ena had an incredible capacity for remembering people and was known for her warm and gracious hospitality. While raising a large family, she hosted hundreds of guests from all over. She was always ready with a cup of coffee or tea and her Dutch cookies whenever anyone stopped by. Sunday morning coffees at "Oma's" were an open invitation for family and friends until the very end. Ena was preceded in death by her husband, John Witte, and grandson, Anthony Vondiziano. She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Henry and Thressa Witte, Teunis and Phyllis Witte, Joanne and Dan Bajema, John Witte and Lynda Barendse Witte, Sophia Witte and Philip Vande-Riet, Herman and Laurie Witte, Ina and Warren Burmeister, Paul and Karen Witte, Marlene and Tom Kramer; 23 grandchildren; 34 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews living in the Netherlands. Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 3, at 12 noon, at First Christian Reformed Church, 650 Bates T. SE, Grand Rapids, with Rev. Frank Guter and Rev. Randy Buursma officiating. Interment Rest Lawn Memorial Park.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Friday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Lisa’s House or Safe Harbor Christian Communities.