Peter Ipema

Peter Ipema, age 88, of Hudsonville, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. He was surrounded in love and care by his immediate family. Peter was born on January 20, 1938, in Oak Lawn, Illinois, the fifth of ten children. He was the last surviving sibling and with his passing an era has ended. He grew up on a farm where he and his siblings played and worked hard. He became a bricklayer in his 20’s and continued doing that well into his 60’s. After he married Kathy, they moved to Colorado and he worked very hard to get his GED so he could join the Lakewood Fire Department. He was an Engineer for 25 years and never tired of driving the big truck fast to help those in need. He loved his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ with his whole heart. He showed his family how to lean on the Lord through the dark times and to remember that joy comes in the morning. He lived his life with contagious joy, passion, and a desire to talk with everyone. Peter enjoyed fishing, gardening, and spending time with his grandkids; he especially loved his Saturday breakfasts with them at the Rainbow Grill. This tradition started when the kids were little and they still joined him weekly as adults and they were all sad when it recently closed. They figure they had just over 500 breakfasts with him there.   He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 56 years, Kathryn (Bayens), and sons, Jeffrey, Gregory, and Joey Ipema. Peter will be lovingly remembered by his children, Kristy and Kevin Van Wyhe, and Mark Ipema; grandchildren, Joshua and Megan Van Wyhe, Chris and Faith Workman, Kathryn Van Wyhe, and  Erik Griffin; great-grandchildren, Peter and Reyna; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Ken and Carol Bayens; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church, 3617 Hillcrest Rd. Hudsonville with Rev. Jake Weeda officiating. Burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Tuesday 5 to 8  at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW, and on Wednesday from 10-10:45 am at church prior to the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Children’s Advocacy Center of Kent County.