Jerrald Hale Redeker, born on October 5, 1934, left this life to be with his Heavenly Father on Saturday, October 29, 2022.
Jerry grew up in Waupun, Wisconsin, where he graduated from Waupun High School, and enjoyed working in his father’s clothing store and on his uncle’s farm. He graduated from Hope College in 1956 and served in the US Army for a year in Schweinfurt, Germany.
He married Elsie Delaine Vande Zande on June 22, 1957, who survives him. His nearly 70 years of marriage and life with Elsie is what mattered to him most, along with his love for his savior Jesus Christ. They enjoyed helping countless people and organizations through their selfless generosity. They traveled together with groups from Hope College and Words of Hope around the globe, and they enjoyed taking their children and grandchildren on trips including Mexico, Alaska, and the Caribbean.
Jerry was President of First State Bank of Charlevoix, then People’s State Bank of Holland, and Old Kent Bank of Holland for over 20 years. He led capital campaigns for Holland Hospital, Hope College, and Christ Memorial Church, where he and Elsie were active together for more than 40 years.
Many will remember Jerry’s generosity and kind spirit as he would personally acknowledge friends’ and employees’ birthdays and anniversaries with cards, notes, and surprise cakes. He was an optimist, choosing to see the positive in each person and situation. A dedicated grandfather, he enjoyed playing hours of foosball, table tennis, and games of hide-and-seek, despite having to endure severe back pain in his later years.
Preceding him in death were his father, Samuel Redeker, and mother Laura (Schinzel) Redeker. He is survived by his sister Beth (Ted) Vanderkin. He is also survived by his daughter Lisa (Mike) Williams, son Joel (Joreen) Redeker, daughter Cara (Tom) Theile, daughter Allyson (Kirk) Rys, and grandchildren Jonathan (Emma) Redeker, Bethany (Luka) Derungs, Madison (Kyle) Crowley, Hanna Theile, Audrey Redeker, Megan Williams, Elsa Theile, Hoover Theile, and Henry Rys.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 4, at 11:00 am at the chapel in Christ Memorial, followed by a Celebration of Life service at 12:00pm. A reception will follow at Christ Memorial Church in the Gathering Place. For live-streaming of the service, please click HERE
Memorial contributions can be made to Christ Memorial Church, Words of Hope, and the Hope-Western Seminary Prison Education Program.
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