Obituaries: July 7, 2026
Jerry Lee Brower
July 21, 1943-July 3, 2026
Jerry Lee Brower, age 82, went to be with his Heavenly Father on July 3, 2026, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Jerry graduated from Holland Christian High School. He was a man of faith and attended Niekerk CRC his entire life. He served the church as an elder, Sunday school teacher, and cadet leader. He also served as a Gideon for many years. Jerry loved building things and worked at Chris Craft and Slickcraft building boats and then transitioned to building homes and barns for many years. He loved helping others and really enjoyed his time serving on the Royal Park condo board and helping out fellow condo owners on small projects. He loved the outdoors and passed on his passion for hunting to his sons and grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Juliet Brower, and his twin brother, Larry Brower. Also preceding him in death were his in-laws, Martin and Betty Brinks; brother-in-law, Lee Karsten; sister-in-law, Judy Brinks; nephew, Steve Karsten, and an infant sister-in-law, Marcia Beth Brinks.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife of 62 years, Elaine (Brinks); his four sons, Curt (Marcy) Brower, Doug (Bonnie) Brower, Brian (Shelly) Brower, and Craig (Dana) Brower. He was a very proud Grandpa to 17 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, with another one on the way. He is also survived by his sisters, Carol Karsten, Jan and Bud Bos, Char and Rich Faber; in-laws, Carol Brower, Gary and Sandy Brinks, Gene and Mary Brinks, and many extended family members.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 9, 2026, at Niekerk Christian Reformed Church, 545 Country Club Road, Holland. Visitation will be 2-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Wednesday, July 8, at the Yntema Funeral Home, 251 S. State St., Zeeland. A private family graveside and burial will be at Holland East Cemetery.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Gideons or Faith Hospice.
The family wishes to thank Heritage Nursing staff for the wonderful care they extended to Jerry. They truly became a part of our family.
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Phillip Lawrence Carter
December 13, 1959-July 4, 2026
Phillip Carter, age 66, of Fennville, passed away peacefully on July 4, 2026.
Philip was born and raised in Holland, Michigan. He proudly served in the United States Army for four years. He had a love for Harleys and working as a mechanic.
He is survived by his brothers, Elmer Carter, David and Jodi Carter, Doug Carter; as well as 10 nieces and three nephews.
He is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Betty Cliffman and Gordon Cliffman; his father, Ulus Carter; and brothers, Mike Carter and Steve Carter.
A celebration of life open house will be 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, July 16, 2026, at Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland, MI 49423. Memorial contributions may be given to the Holland VFW.
To leave condolences online, please visit langelandsterenberg.com.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Phillip Lawrence Carter, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Leonard Peter DePender
September 2, 1936-July 2, 2026
Leonard Peter DePender, age 89, of Spring Lake, passed away on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at Corewell Health Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
He was born in Eastmanville, Michigan, to Peter and Mary (Modderman) DePender. On May 14, 1959, he married the former Linda Lou Brown at Coopersville Christian Reformed Church.
Leonard graduated from Coopersville High School, where he played football and baseball. He enjoyed attending the 100th anniversary celebration of Coopersville football a few years ago. He was active in Little League baseball, served as field director for Rocket football, and coached ninth-grade football. Len was a member of Coopersville Christian Reformed Church and served on the Allendale Christian School Board. After retiring from the Ottawa County Road Commission as a heavy equipment operator, Len and his wife, Linda, spent 25 winters in Avon Park, Florida. He enjoyed traveling with Linda, visiting all but four states, and loved to golf, shooting a hole in one on January 20, 2011.
Len is lovingly remembered by his wife of 67 years, Linda DePender; his two sons, Larry (Amy Grout) DePender and Lance DePender; and five grandchildren, Gabrielle (Trey) Martinez, Nicole (Chris Brown), Shannon (Matt) Corbiel, William DePender, and Robert (Isabel) DePender and five great-grandchildren, Logan, Jordan, Braxton, Leonard, and Kathryn.
Len was preceded in death by his brother, Clarence DePender; and his daughter-in-law, Linda Louise DePender.
A memorial service for Len will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at the Coopersville Christian Reformed Church, 200 Henry St., Coopersville, MI. Visitation with the family will be one hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions to Coopersville Association for Christian Education (C.A.C.E.) are appreciated. Arrangements have been entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456. Memories may be shared with the family in the online guest book at sytsemafh.com.
Diana Elder
October 19, 1946-July 5, 2026
Diana Elder, age 79, of Spring Lake, passed away Sunday, July 5, 2026, at Dogwood Shores Assisted Living in Spring Lake, Michigan.
She was born October 19, 1946, in Muskegon to Gerald and Doris (Leatherman) Mapson. She was married to James Elder, who passed away March 25, 2000.
Diana retired from the Department of Human Services, where she was a caseworker for many years. She enjoyed gardening, crocheting and ceramics. She will be greatly missed.
She is survived by two sons, James Elder and John Elder; grandchildren: Alec Elder, Jordan Peralta, Darren, Elexis and Brennden Elder; sisters, Peggy Hanson, Geraldine Mapson; and brother, Howard Mapson.
Diana was preceded in death by her brother, Phil Mapson.
In keeping with her wishes, there will be no services at this time. Memorial contributions in memory of Diana may be given to Hospice of Michigan. Arrangements entrusted to The Spring Lake Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 213 E. Savidge St., Spring Lake, MI 49456.
Please sign the family’s online guestbook at sytsemafh.com.
Roger Steigenga
October 29, 1940-July 4, 2026
Just before sunrise on July 4, Roger Steigenga of Zeeland, Michigan declared his independence from earthly restraints and entered his heavenly Father’s freedom with a fully restored body and mind.
Roger Wayne Steigenga was born at home in Borculo to James and Jeanette on October 29, 1940. As a grade-schooler, Roger attended the local District 5 Schoolhouse, where his love of learning and adventure were ignited by teacher Mildred Plasman, who inspired her students with Friday slide shows of American National Parks. Rog entered Holland Christian High School, where he met his future wife, Marcia Seinen, when she was seated alphabetically next to him in study hall. Further developing that love of learning, Roger received his undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Calvin College and his master’s degree from Michigan State University. Roger and Marcia were married at Zeeland’s First Christian Reformed Church in August 1962, where they were lifelong active members.
The seeds of education that were planted early in Roger continued to flourish throughout his lifework. He taught for a total of thirty-seven years at Christian schools in Indiana and Michigan as well as the bulk of his career as a sixth-grade teacher for Zeeland Public Schools. Known for his humor and stories, Mr. Steigenga impacted students in memorable ways, including comically ripping off his toupee to illustrate how students made him “pull his hair out” and annually tap dancing on his desk to celebrate the end of the school year. Although Mr. Steigenga could be hilarious, he was also deeply compassionate. Empathy marked his classroom where all types of learners were enfolded. At the students’ request, he was regularly invited on special education field trips. Decades after his retirement, Mr. Steigenga was approached by former students in local restaurants and stores who thanked him for his impact and encouragement when they were young. The echoing influence of Rog’s teaching is carried on through his daughter and grandson who also became educators.
Outside the classroom, Roger enjoyed many hobbies, including traveling and tinkering at his pole barn in Borculo, which was built on his parents’ farmland. Rog always enjoyed a road trip, a wanderlust that began in those early Borculo school days. Roger and Marcia visited all fifty states, including regular summer outings to beloved state parks throughout Michigan. Their travels also included visits to twelve foreign countries. In addition, they spent twenty-two winter seasons in Bradenton, Florida, where they enjoyed their condo and church communities. While Rog loved to wander, one of his deepest pleasures was local time at his barn fixing machinery, driving his John Deere tractor, and enjoying nature.
Roger thoroughly enjoyed his barn, but his greatest delight was spending time with his family in Arizona, Florida, and Michigan. He was an encouraging, funny, and wise father and an even better grandpa who humbly modeled his faith in Jesus Christ.
Rog was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Jeanette Steigenga; sister, Jane Bickert; sister-in-law, Viv Steigenga; and brother, Ray.
Rog is survived by his “beloved bride” of nearly 64 years, Marcia; his children, Matthew (Marybeth) Steigenga and Rachel (Mark) Westra; siblings, Joyce Steigenga, Dave (Rose) Bickert, Norm (Cindy) Steigenga; grandchildren, Andrew, Daniel, and Elisabeth Steigenga, Sam and Eli Westra, and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 9, at Yntema Funeral Home in Zeeland. Relatives and friends may visit with the family at Yntema Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Holland Christian, Hospice of Holland, or South Christian High School.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Roger Steigenga, please visit our Sympathy Store.
