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LaVerne Lee Ritzema, age 83, of Jenison went home to be with his Lord on Friday, August 27, 2021. He was preceded in death by his parents, Edwin and Florence Ritzema; sister, Barbara Herlin. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 62 years, Gloria (Aardema); children, Rachel and Joe Rincones, Andrew and Teresa Ritzema, Julie and Robert Szarowicz, Alex and Abelina Ritzema; 11 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; brothers, Alton Ritzema, Dale and Dixie Ritzema, Norman and Grace Ritzema; sisters-in-law, Jeanne Aardema, Myrna Householder; many nieces and nephews. Vern proudly served our country as a member of the United States Army. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 2, 2021, at 11 am at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Burial Floral View Memorial Gardens. Relatives and friends may meet the family from 10-11 am prior to the service at the funeral home. Those who wish to make memorial contributions are encouraged to donate blood in memory of Vern.