Jerry Huizenga

Jerry Huizenga, age 80, of Grand Rapids, passed away suddenly and went to his heavenly and eternal home on Saturday, December 4, 2021. Jerry was born and raised in Munster, Indiana, and remained a loyal White Sox fan. He was a graduate of Calvin University with a masters from Western Michigan University. Jerry was a lifelong educator committed to serving the Godfrey-Lee School district, touching countless lives in the district over his 35 years as a teacher. He lived out his Christian faith and leadership while serving on the Calvin Christian School Board, was a founding member of the Mission India Super Thrift Store, and volunteered at Calvin’s Car Lot. Jerry loved his church and participated in various capacities including singing in the choir, and serving as an elder and deacon. Jerry enjoyed working on the muck farm raising vegetables for the past 50 years, leaving an impact on the area youth through summer employment. He was a passionate advocate of Christian education, making the necessary sacrifices to send all four of his children through Christian schools. He enjoyed spending time watching sports and playing golf in his spare time. Jerry cherished time with his family and each one of his fourteen grandchildren, attending each of their baptisms and enjoyed spending time with each of them as they grew into adults. He was preceded in death by his brother, Robert Huizenga; and brothers-in-law, Jay Verburg, Ken Verburg, LaVern and Carol Verburg, and Chuck Huizenga. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Joyce; children and grandchildren, Mark and Kris Huizenga (Elaina and Ben, Olivia, Blake), Amy and Michael Luce (Mason, Audrey, Elijah), Theodore and Leslie Huizenga (Lydia, Leah, Levi, Lauren), Jacquelyn and Jon Tilburt (Jonas, Phoebe, Scarlett, Henry); sisters and brother, Annette Miedema, Judy and Case Vaandering, Ken and Tricia Huizenga; sisters-in-law, Cora Huizenga and Esther Verburg; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 10, 2021, at 11 a.m. at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 107 LaGrave Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, with Rev. Peter Jonker and Rev. John Steigenga officiating. Burial at Winchester Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday, December 9, from 4-7 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW and Friday, December 10, from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to the service at the church. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Mission India Super Thrift Store or Calvin University in memory of Jerry Huizenga.

The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed via this link: https://www.lagrave.org/funerals/