Martin Kooistra, Jr.

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Martin C. Kooistra, Jr., age 78, of Hudsonville, was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, October 30, 2023. Martin was a loving husband, dad, and grandpa. He was born in Chicago, IL and raised in Wyckoff, NJ. He graduated from Calvin College and later earned a master’s degree from Grand Valley State University. Martin was a lifelong educator and Christian school supporter. He taught at Ripon Christian High School in California for 11 years, and at Unity Christian High School for 28 years until he retired in 2006. After retirement, he enjoyed volunteering at Love, INC for many years. A longtime member of Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church, he loved the Lord and his family very much.

He was preceded in death by two newborn children, Kristin and Eric; his parents, Martin and Wilhelmina Kooistra; and sisters-in-law, Bea Heerema, and Laura Kooistra. Martin will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Lynn; children, Vickie and Jim Zylstra, Michelle and Doug VanderVeen; his grandchildren, Nathan, Sam, and Drew Zylstra, Elijah, and Zoey VanderVeen; sister and brother-in-law, Donna and Mike VanderPloeg; brother, Ken Kooistra; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Frank Heerema, Rollie and Sue Bossenbroek, Harley and Kathy Bossenbroek; and many loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Friday, November 3, 2023, at Ridgewood Christian Reformed Church, 1571 Baldwin St., Jenison, with Pastor Michael Ten Haken officiating. Burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Thursday, November 2 from 6-8 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW and also on Friday from 10-10:45 am prior to the service at church. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Unity Christian High School.