Alma Lou (Dykema) Gunneman, age 87, passed away and entered heaven on April 7, 2021, after a courageous battle with skin cancer. Alma was born in 1933, the tenth child of Peter and Jennie Dykema.
Alma lived her younger years in Hudsonville where she attended Hudsonville Christian School. Then to Holland where she attended Holland Christian through 11th grade. One day while walking to a friend’s house, Ken Gunneman happened to drive by and it was love at first. They married on 6/1/1957, settled in Hamilton, joined Haven Reformed Church, and started their family. Together they had two children, Karen and Gregg.
Alma’s passions were Faith, her family, campouts, wintering in the south, and riding with Ken on his motorcycles either cross country or cross-town, she was always ready to go. She also loved crafts, taking on any type of project but sewing, crocheting, and knitting were her favorites. Alma had a few dislikes. Riding motorcycle in a rainstorm. Spiders, you always knew when there was one in the room and a dropped stitch. Both needed to be dealt with as soon as they were discovered.
After Ken passed, she moved into Royal Park Place where she made many new friends. Crocheting and knitting became her favorite hobbies and she always looked forward to afternoons spent crocheting with friends. Her bus trips to Meijers always included bags of yarn.
Alma was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Ken in 2017, and their son, Gregg Gunneman in 2004.
Brothers, sisters, and spouses: Dick (Ange), Pat (Blanche), Mike (Floriene), Chet (Arlene) and Ivan Dykema; Ann (Gerald) Michmerhuizen, Pearl (Albert) Meeusen, Arlin (Louis) Smit, and Myra (Arthur) McNary. In-laws: Clarine Barkel, Joyce Sneller, and Roger Guneman.
She is survived by daughter, Karen (Lonnie) Voelz; daughter-in-law, Karen (Tim) Sale; granddaughters, Samantha and Sarah Gunneman; stepgrandsons, Austin (Jennie) and Tayler Sale. Also surviving, in-laws, Eleanor Dykema; Vern (Joyce) Barkel; Nelson Sneller; Carol (Norm) TenBrink as well as many wonderful nieces, nephews, and friends.
The family gives heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Holland and Royal Atrium Inn for all their loving care. The family apologizes but at this time a private graveside service is planned. Please reach out to your family and tell them how much you love them, tell them an Alma story and rejoice in the fact that she is now with her Lord and her soulmate Ken and son Gregg. Interment will be Overisel Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Holland or Royal Atrium Inn.
Arrangements by Langeland-Sterenberg.
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