Lila Alkema

Lila Alkema, age 96, of Grand Rapids, loving mother, grandma, grandma-great, entered the outstretched arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017.  She was born in Perkins, Iowa on March 11, 1921.  She married the love her life, Larry on August 8, 1940.  The Lord blessed them with five children and they spent 72 happy, healthy years together.  After her faith, her husband, children and siblings were the most important part of her life.  She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Tanya and Steve Sawdy, Gregory and Betsy Alkema, Valerie and Larry Hobbie, Laurel and Jim DeGraaf, Brad and Linda Alkema; 29 grandchildren; 23 great grandchildren; two great great grandchildren; sisters and brother, Esther Telman, Marianne and Don Huizenga, Bea Weaver, Vonne Visser; many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence; parents, Peter and Hendrene (Dena) Visser, Ralph and Catherine Alkema;  granddaughter, Laura Leigh Oostema; great-granddaughter, Faith Alkema Pickerd;  her siblings and their spouses: Bud (Irene) Brill, Gerry Telman, Marv Weaver, Bill Visser; in-laws: Jay (Ada) Alkema, Rudy (Margaret) Alkema, Elsie (Bill) Seaks, Joanne (Gus) VanderMeulen, Don (Esca) Alkema, Melvin (Ruby) Alkema; Bea Keappler.  Funeral services will be held on Monday 11 a.m. at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home (Kentwood) 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE  with Rev. Steve De Vries officiating.  Interment Woodlawn Cemetery.  Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday from 2-5 p.m. at the funeral home and 10-10:45 a.m. on Monday.  Those who wish may make memorial contributions to a charity of one’s choice.