Obituaries: May 1, 2026
Margaret Ann Becksfort
November 21, 1946-April 28, 2026
Margaret Ann Becksfort, 79, of Holland, passed away on Monday, April 28, 2026.
Margaret was born on November 21, 1946, in Holland, Michigan, to Henry and Jeanette (Plockmeyer) Scholten. She graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1965 and later married Jim Becksfort. Margaret and Jim raised their three children together in Holland and were members of Central Wesleyan Church.
Margaret liked to have fun and laugh. She was sharp and quick-witted, which helped her make friends easily in every avenue of life. Margaret was also always game for a good car ride or some coffee at McDonald's.
Margaret faced adversity in life with a lot of determination. She was a purposeful mom, an advocate for her children. Margaret was a lifelong problem solver and extremely empathetic of people with special needs. She was always helping and overcoming challenges, even to her last week on earth. Margaret and her son Steve's lives were very intertwined through Steve's challenges. Remarkably, as Margaret was physically failing and facing her own mortality, Steve became very ill over the weekend. They died within three hours of each other. It was an amazing providential gift to each of them. How could either of them live without the other?
She is survived by her daughter, Lauri and Kevin Achterhof; grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Travis and Emily Achterhof (Lucy, Annie), Kelsey and Dakota Geurink (Trace), Tara Achterhof, Tyler Achterhof; in-laws, Jan Vander Zwaag, Lorraine Becksfort, Faye Scholten, David Minnaar, and many extended family members.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Julie Becksfort, in 1998, and her husband, Jim Becksfort, in 2021.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in the Chapel at Central Wesleyan Church (Please use Entrance G), 446 W. 40th St., Holland. Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Monday at the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Faith Hospice-Trillium Woods.
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Steven James Becksfort
August 17, 1969-April 29, 2026
Steven James Becksfort, 56, of Holland, passed away on Tuesday, April 29, 2026.
Steve was born in Grand Rapids on August 17, 1969. He was the oldest of Jim and Margaret Becksfort's three children. Steve graduated from Holland High School in 1989 and worked for decades at Holland Hospital. Steve was the "unofficial mayor' of Holland Hospital and worked hard to contribute to a positive culture. He enjoyed his work and loved interacting with his co-workers and the families being served by Holland Hospital. He is a member of Central Wesleyan Church.
Steve enjoyed listening to '80s music, watching a good movie with friends, and just hanging out. He liked to be funny and make people laugh, especially his sister's children. Steve also never took one serious photograph, ever. Steve liked nice cars and always took pride in his vehicles.
Steve's sister Julie died in 1998, and his dad Jim died in 2021. Steve's mom, Margaret, was always very influential in his life and helped navigate many of his challenges. Remarkably, as Margaret was physically failing, Steve became very ill, and both died within three hours of each other. It was an amazing providential gift to each of them. How could either of them live without the other?
Steve is survived by his sister, Lauri and Kevin Achterhof; nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews: Travis and Emily Achterhof (Lucy, Annie), Kelsey and Dakota Geurink (Trace), Tara Achterhof, Tyler Achterhof, aunts and uncles: Jan Vander Zwaag, Lorraine Becksfort, Faye Scholten, David Minnaar, and many extended family members.
Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2026, in the Chapel at Central Wesleyan Church (Please use Entrance G), 446 W. 40th St., Holland. Visitation will be 3-6 p.m. Monday at the Langeland-Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 E. 16th St., Holland. Interment will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Giddings Adult Foster Care Home or Ottawa County Community Mental Health.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Steven James Becksfort, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Beverly "Bev" Betty (Britton) Jackson
January 25, 1939-April 26, 2026
Beverly "Bev" Betty Jackson, age 87, of Grand Haven, passed away on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Grand Pines Assisted Living.
She was born on January 25, 1939, in Nunica, Michigan, to the late Walter and Ida Britton. Bev married Floyd Jackson on June 4, 1957. He preceded her in death on September 28, 2015, after 58 years of marriage.
Bev was a lifelong resident of Grand Haven and a longtime member of Nortonville Gospel Chapel, where she was a part of the Ladies Circle for many years. She was the owner and operator of Crazy Jack's clothing store, and she enjoyed quilting, sewing, and spending time in her flower and veggie gardens, which she took great pride in. Bev loved her family to the fullest, and they were of utmost importance to her. She especially relished time spent with them.
Bev will be lovingly remembered and missed by her two daughters, Carla (Rick) Nuvill and Darcy (Kevin) Clark all of Spring Lake; her son, Dale Jackson of Grand Haven; six grandchildren, Michelle (Jason) Vink, Janelle Nuvill, Dacia and Troy Jackson, Josh and Seth Clark; and nine great-grandchildren, Chloe and Carson Vink, Skye and Selena Nuvill, Cadance, Kaylee, Trajen and Kaiyana Jackson, and Brody Clark.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her brothers, Lester (Nancy) Britton and Jerry Britton; her two sisters, Hazel (Leo) Meyer and Fern Long; and her sister-in-law, Genevieve (John) Morrison.
A celebration of life for Bev will take place at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at Nortonville Gospel Chapel, with Greg Lund officiating.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Nortonville Gospel Chapel - Ladies Circle.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Beverly "Bev" Betty (Britton) Jackson, please visit our floral store.
John Dirk Nordyke
October 11, 1954-April 17, 2026
In the early morning hours of Friday, April 17, 2026, John Dirk Nordyke, aged 71, left us to be with the Lord.
He was born to Neal Nordyke and Babs (Nordyke) Croft on October 11, 1954, at their home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
John was a talented, introspective person who showed technological giftedness from a young age. During high school, he honed his skills with additional tech training. He remembered his job at Lear Siegler fondly and was recognized for a diagnostic he created. However, as time went on, the challenges proved mentally and emotionally debilitating. With the support of his wife, "DJ," he recovered and used a variety of his skills to remain gainfully employed. An aneurysm was an insurmountable obstacle. Although his survival was nothing short of miraculous, he fought against the resulting deficits the remainder of his life.
John was preceded in death by his father, Neal; mother, Babs; brother, Marty; beloved wife, Darlena Jean Nordyke (neé Sperry); and brother-in-law, Val Pierson.
He is survived by his siblings Connie, Joyce, Casey (Rena), Michelle (Val, deceased), Tim, and Dan, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
A private celebration of life will be held at a later date to honor John's life and legacy. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to a mental health charity of your choice, in recognition of the challenges John faced and overcame.
The family welcomes memories and messages at cookcaresgrandville.com in their online guestbook.
Donald Lee Tague
February 11, 1934-April 28, 2026
Donald Lee Tague, age 92, of Spring Lake, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at Heartwood Lodge.
He was born on February 11, 1934, in Ligonier, Indiana, to Russell and Mary Pauline (Fonner) Tague.
Don was the second eldest of 10 children. He graduated from Holland High School. A life-changing moment happened shortly thereafter. He applied for a job at H.J. Heinz Co. in Holland and was hired by a beautiful young lady, Ruth Schuetky, who worked in the Personnel Department. Don was star-struck. They began dating and were married on April 18, 1953, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church in Holland, Michigan. This incredible love story resulted in 71 years of wedded bliss. Don & Ruth's love was apparent to all — with Don's great sense of humor and Ruth giggling at Don's every joke.
Besides Ruth and his children, Don's greatest pride was being a member of the Grand Haven Police Department. Don was born to be a policeman. To Don, being a policeman was an honorable calling: to serve the community with compassion and to always be a help to everyone. He worked through the ranks from patrolman, detective, detective sergeant, and finally Deputy Chief. Notably, he was responsible for the hiring of Grand Haven's first full-time female police officer.
Don had a strong love for his children, instilling in them a strong work ethic and an unwavering sense of right and wrong. Don was extremely proud of his children's many accomplishments. His sense of humor made for a lot of fun times and memories in the family home.
Don's other true love was music. Guitar, banjo and keyboards were his favorites, but hand him any instrument and he would play it. "Don Tague and the Tag-A-Longs" was the band of choice for area weddings and clubs like the Eagles, VFW, and the American Legion.
Don was a member of the Church Choir at St. Patrick Church of St. Patrick - St. Anthony Parish, and later, St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spring Lake. But, there was nothing he loved more than singing special love songs to his beautiful wife, Ruth.
Don was a past president of the Ferry School PTA and a past member of AMBUCS, Elks, Eagles, Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, WEMET Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Knights of Columbus. He was a past member of St. Patrick Church of St. Patrick - St. Anthony Parish, where he served as a lector and usher. He also taught Catechism.
Don is survived by his children, Michael (Cheryl) of Grand Haven, Sally (Tom) Berndt of Howard City, Tony (Wendi) of Grand Haven, Christopher (Tiffnei) of Anderson, South Carolina, and Robert (Laura) of Elmhurst, Illinois; 14 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren; brothers, Stanley of Auburn, Indiana, and James (Sharron) of Winona Lake, Indiana; sisters, Susan Landrum of Auburn, Indiana, and Janet Revor of Pullman, Michigan.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ruth, on March 30, 2024; son, David; parents, Russell Sr. and Pauline (Fonner) Tague; brothers: Robert, Russell Jr., Richard, Karl; and sister, Barbara Wiersema.
Visitation for Don will be 3-5 p.m. on Saturday, May 2, 2026, at Klaassen Funeral Home, 1500 Robbins Road, Grand Haven. The funeral Mass will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 4, 2026, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Spring Lake with the Rev. Daniel R. DePew officiating. Interment will be at Restlawn Memorial Gardens, Holland, Michigan.
In memory of Don, please consider a memorial contribution to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald Lee Tague, please visit our floral store.
