Our beloved husband, dad, grandpa, and great-grandpa, Edward Slenk Jr., age 86, of Holland went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Monday, January 10, 2022.
Ed had a gentle, quiet spirit and loved the Lord with all his heart. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
His greatest joy was seeing his family all together. He diligently had morning devotions with mom, enveloping the family in prayer. He cherished our Christmas tradition of passing the candle, with each one saying what they were most thankful for that year.
Ed graduated from Holland Christian High School in 1953 and married the love of his life, his “Ruthie” in 1955, and together they had four children. He worked for 43 years as a chemical supervisor and in human resources at Parke-Davis (Warner-Lambert). He had an amazing green thumb and grew his own flowers in his greenhouse for over 50 years. His yard was meticulous and even won the Holland Bloomin’ Best Front Yard contest one year. He loved to sing and was in many ensembles over the years including the Magnachords, His Men, and the Helmsmen Quartet. He also sang with church choirs and served as both elder and deacon through the years. He was a member of Central Wesleyan Church. Ed served honorably in the Michigan National Guard with one of his calls to duty being the 1956 F5 tornado that ravaged West Michigan. Ed enjoyed golfing, including two holes in one.
He was born June 9, 1935, to Alice (Sjoerdsma) and Edward Slenk Sr. He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Leah Slenk, and siblings Carolyn Raterink and Alan Slenk. Ed will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 66 years, Ruth (Dykema) Slenk, and their four children, Pat (Chris) deVries, Linda (Jerry) Lanting, Nancy (Terry) Joldersma, and Doug (Lori) Slenk; 16 grandchildren, and 23 great-grandchildren whom he loved and adored; brother Howard (Marilyn) Slenk, sister Thelma (Galen) Meyer; brother-in-law Gord Raterink, and sisters-in-law Lorraine Brouwer and Jan Dykema.
We would like to thank the caring staff at Vista Springs Holland Meadows and the amazing Spectrum Health Hospice team for their love and care for our husband and dad during his stay there.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 22 at 11:00 am in the chapel of Central Wesleyan church, 446 W. 40th Street, Holland, MI 49423 (entrances D, E, F, or G), with visitation prior from 9:00 – 10:30 am. Refreshments will be served immediately following the service.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Holland Christian Schools or Zeeland Christian Schools
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