Marian Kay Roetman

Marian Kay “Mama” Roetman first born and only daughter of the union between the late Roger P. Beukema and Tilia (Damstra) - born April 20, 1950, heard the voice as her Lord and Savior say: “Your getting oh so tired, and a cure is not to be”, so He put His arms around her and whispered, “Child come with me” on April 5, 2019 in the comfort of her home and beloved family at her side. Marian was a lover of many things, but most importantly her husband and caregiver, Chuck; children and grandchildren: Alan and Amanda (Taylor, Jacob, Brandon), Chad and Kim (Brinsley, Tenley), Marcus (Ethan). She oh so loved flowers of all types, sunsets over Lake Michigan, sparklers, fireworks, Sunday afternoon drives to no where special, a clean house, an occasional Saturday outing with Gayle and her special nieces, bonfires, “Paw Burgers”, boat rides with dad through the waters of Les Cheneaux Islands in his Chris Craft “Woody” named the “Marian Kay”. She was uniquely blessed with spiritual gift of hospitality which she exhibited often as a “Cookie Mom”, the original “Meals on Wheels” for those having a baby or suffering through a loss, or just in some sort of need.  She was “Ma” to many of the boy’s friends and her kitchen was always open and welcomed them to help themselves to an abundance of intentional homemade leftovers. She loved drop in guests and no one EVER left hungry. She was a huge supporter of whatever her sons and grandchildren were involved in even after her diagnosis of congestive heart failure and MS. She very seldom missed an event or activity which her family was involved. A graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, she sang in all the choirs. Throughout her life she enjoyed many songs which uplifted her and gave her solace on any given day. In the last few months of her journey home, the song 10,000 Reasons became especially meaningful to her as she navigated through what was to be, in total peace, trusting Him in all things. She was called to served and did so through her work as an executive assistant to the pastor at Wyoming Park United Methodist Church and as a financial assistant at Disability Advocates of Kent Co. for 13 years until her medical issues forced her into early retirement. Her love of numbers then led her to the position of CFO of the newly formed family business, Priority Med Transportation, which is the wheels for Gift of Life Michigan and Spectrum DeVos organ transplant programs. She was blessed and humbled to play a crucial role in helping to save lives through organ donations. A time of gathering to share thoughts and memories together to honor Marian’s life and in keeping with her spiritual gift, a luncheon will be available during the gathering on Friday, April 12, 2019 from 11 am to 1 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood. A celebration and thanksgiving of her life will follow at 1 pm at the funeral home. As much as Marian loved flowers, but now no longer here to enjoy them, please consider instead a memorial contribution in her memory to Kent County Sheriff’s Department Victim Advocate Fund, Attn: Sandi Jones, 701 Ball Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Envelopes are available at the funeral home. The family would like to thank the entire staff of Meijer Heart Center and Spectrum Heart Failure Clinic for all their continued efforts and loving care of Marian over the last 10 years.