Theressa Gootjes, age 83, of Grand Rapids, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, April 27, 2017. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 62 years, John; children, Rick and Deb Gootjes, Marcia and Larry Brandes, Caroline and Bob Deppe, (Johnny, deceased); 14 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; sisters, Anne Buunk, Grace Shearer; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Winnie Prins, Amy and John Vos, Betty Postema, Ann Gootjes, Dick and Carol Gootjes, Pete and Ann Gootjes, Paul Gootjes, Annette Gootjes; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Bill, Wilma, and Joe. Theressa immigrated from the Netherlands in 1950 as a teenager and later married her sweetheart, John. They were longtime members of Millbrook Christian Reformed Church. A Celebration of Life will be held Monday 2:00 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, with Rev. Will Hensen officiating. Relatives and friends may visit the family on Sunday from 2-4:00 p.m. and 6-8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Interment at Rest Lawn Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.