Arlene Joyce Pettinga

Arlene Joyce (Vander Till) Pettinga went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 22, 2026. She was born on June 19, 1942 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Orwin and Ruth VanderTill. Arlene was the middle daughter of three girls and sometimes went by the nickname, “Archie.” She was a big talker at school and met her future husband, Jeff Pettinga, in middle school, dated him in high school and said she fell in love with him because he was so much fun. Arlene gave birth to five girls in just over six years and was a remarkable mom to each one of them. Her greatest joy was holding babies, especially her 15 grandchildren. She loved caring for her grandkids and having “pop parties” and sharing sweets with them. Arlene spent many hours watching her children and grandchildren play sports, her favorite being volleyball. Her grandchildren also kept her calendar busy with dance recitals, music concerts, theater performances and even more sporting events. 

Arlene earned her nursing degree and worked for many years as an LPN. She enjoyed this profession so much because of the direct interaction and care she could provide to all of her patients. Arlene went back to work when her youngest entered first grade; and over her career, she enjoyed working at Blodgett Hospital, White & White Medical and for a private doctor’s office. She was a dedicated Bible study leader at “Coffee Break” at both Shawnee Park Christian Reformed Church and Caledonia Christian Reformed Church. Arlene was known for her kind smile and friendly personality. She loved to entertain people at her home, including teaching Calvin University baseball players how to play Bunco or taking friends and family out on their boat at Duncan Lake.

Arlene had several health challenges throughout her life including successfully battling breast cancer at age 36. She was much braver and stronger than she ever gave herself credit for, and we are so thankful that she is now whole and healthy in heaven.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Orwin and Ruth Vander Till and grandson, Jared Groot. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 61 years, Jeff; and five daughters: Lisa (Clark) Udell, Cindy (Hugh) Groot, Julie (Roger) DeShetler, Debbie (Daniel) Legters, and Laurie (Jeff) Guikema. She also leaves behind 15 grandchildren: Ross (Mandi) Udell, Mya Udell, Seth Udell, Clay Udell, Kylie (Jordan) Coffman, Tyler (Annalyse) Groot, Aaron Groot, Lindsey (Thom) deBoo, Jace DeShetler, Alyssa (Austin) McNeil, Caleb Legters, Owen Legters, Paige Guikema, Zoey Guikema and Zach Guikema. Arlene got to meet five great grandchildren too: Natalie and Piper Coffman, Cora and Campbell Groot, and Linden Udell. Arlene’s sisters, Pat Heemstra and Joyce Dykstra, will miss their spunky middle sister.

Visitation will be Thursday, June 25 from 6:00-8:00 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood 49508. Funeral will be held on Friday, June 26, at 11:00 am at Thornapple Covenant Church, 6595 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids 49546 with visitation prior to the service at church from 10:00-10:45am.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Dutton Christian School (www.duttonchristianschool.org) where her husband, three daughters, and one grandson currently work and where several grandchildren attended. Condolences may be sent online at www.mkdfuneralhome.com