Myron “Mike” Walburg

On December 15, 2024, Myron Roy Walburg passed away at the age of 94 in Holland, Michigan. 

Myron Roy Walburg (Mike) was born November 22, 1930, on a farm near Castlewood, South Dakota, to Jacob and Hendrika Wilhelmina (te Krony) Walburg. He attended the small country school and graduated from Clear Lake High School. After graduation, he taught in a country school and then attended General Beadle State Teachers College in Madison until he was needed to help the family on the farm. In 1952, he enlisted in the Army and in May was sent to Greenland for three months. When he returned, he was stationed at Fort Eustace until being sent to Korea in December. After a year in Korea, he was discharged and spent time helping on the farm and doing odd jobs. 

While attending Calvin College in 1954, he met the woman who became his wife of 65 years, Kayrene Ann Dykstra. They were the parents of eight children, five boys and three girls. Mike taught school, and was a principal in Pease, Minnesota, before he started carrying mail for the U.S. Postal Service in 1961. He continued as a carrier until he retired in 1989. He was well-liked on his route and his customers treated him well at Christmas, frequently giving him gifts of cookies and other treats. Mike and Kaye were always active in their church and at one time, Mike considered being a pastor. After Kaye retired, they settled in Byron Center, lived on a lake in Minnesota, and then decided to travel the country visiting family and friends. They later left the nomad life and settled in Zeeland, close to family. 

One of his cherished adventures was the Talons Out Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. Accompanied by his son, Barry, he visited memorials and Arlington National Cemetery, and was honored for his service. He was surprised at Arlington by one of his grandsons, Jeff, in his dress blues. Jeff treasures that memory. Mike arrived home to posters and many well-wishers. The posters they carried hung in the hallway until he moved to Maple Woods. After Kaye had a stroke and had to reside in a care facility, Mike spent many hours every day visiting her there. His faith was always important to him and, even in his later years, continued his Bible studies. His granddaughter remembers him as being “always interested and always encouraging” of their work in ministry. Mike wanted others to know Jesus like he did and supported their work with students with his encouragement and prayers. 

His wife, Kaye, passed in 2021, but he is survived by their eight children, Starla (Bob) Thompson, Wayne Walburg, Bonnie (Joe) Vloedman, Steve (Janice) Walburg, Wendy Dantzer, Barry (Denise) Walburg, Myron Walburg Jr. and Marc (Jill) Walburg; 20 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 6 great-great-grandchildren, and his sisters-in-law, Mayme Walburg and Mae Lieuwen. He was preceded in death by daughters-in-law, Terri Walburg and Carmen Walburg; son-in-law, Jerry Dantzer; grandson, Mark Thompson; his parents; his four brothers and his sister; and several of his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, December 19, with the funeral to follow at 11 a.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4145 Chicago Dr. SW, Grandville. The burial will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cru, with whom Mike’s granddaughter, Alyssa and her family, are missionaries in Tucson, Arizona. They work to bring the gospel to college students and faculty on the West Coast through Cru. Checks can be mailed to Cru, designated for Alyssa and Chris Ghubril (#0641522), 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, FL 32832 or online at give.cru.org/0641522.