Born January 28, 1929, in Grand Rapids to Charles and Jessie Strikwerda, James graduated Grand Rapids Christian high school and Calvin College before receiving his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Michigan as an ROTC officer candidate. Immediately upon his graduation James was drafted to fulfill his army obligation, eventually serving in Korea 1953-54.
While attending U of M, James had begun dating fellow Calvin College alumna Hildred “Dolly” Hofman. The couple corresponded throughout James’ deployment and married in Alberta Canada shortly after his return from Korea on January 14, 1955.
The couple began married life at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri where James completed his final months of military service. While stationed there, Dolly gifted Jim a set of golf clubs, igniting a lifelong passion for the sport that continued well into his 90’s.
The couple purchased an existing dental practice in 1956 and moved to Holland where they remained during their 70 years of marriage. Their son Richard and daughter-in-law Susan joined his practice in 1984. James’ love of the profession continued as he practiced dentistry until his retirement in 2015. At the time of the newlyweds’ arrival in Holland, the community was underserved in terms of dental practices. Consequently, the couple worked long hours 6 days a week with Dolly assisting Jim in the operatory and with the office management. Reflecting on that hectic time to family years later, Jim would say, “There were just so many people in pain. We spent all day every day just helping people escape the suffering.”
As a faithful, committed lifelong Christian, this kindness and empathy were defining attributes of Jim’s character, leading him to multiple medical missionary trips to Nigeria and Nicaragua where once again he came to aid suffering people who stood in line for hours to be treated by the visiting dentist.
From the time of their arrival in Holland until the congregation’s dissolution in 2023, Jim and Dolly were faithful members of Bethany Christian Reformed Church in Holland, serving the congregation as deacons, elders, choristers and catechism teachers. Additionally, James served on the school board at Holland Christian Schools, and both Jim and Dolly served on multiple boards at Calvin College and Seminary.
Jim’s life was defined by surpassing kindness, abundant generosity and lifelong curiosity. He was devoted to his faith and family and found joy in golf, worship, travel and daily dessert. He and Dolly raised three children and served as foster parents to 2 young boys in the 1960’s. Although he cautioned his children not to expect him to be an effusive grandfather, he embraced the role with delight, maintaining close relationships with each of his 11 grandchildren into their adulthoods.
Jim was proceeded in death by his parents, Charles and Jessi Strikwerda; and siblings, Earl and Betty Strikwerda, Al and Bernice Strikwerda, and Madge Strikwerda. James is survived by his loving wife, Hildred “Dolly” (Hofman); his children, Drs. Richard Stikwerda and Susan (Beving), Mary and Gerald McRuer and Cheryl and Greg Randall.
Jim is additionally survived by 11 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Grandchildren: Amy Strikwerda Flikkema (David), Rachel Van Haitsma (Kevin), John Strikwerda (Jessi), Elizabeth McRuer Hainline (Robert), Kyle McRuer (Jesi Zinn), Kenton McRuer (Alison Leonard), Holly McRuer, James Randall (Melanie), Mark Randall (Linnea), Jennifer Randall, Timothy Randall.
Great-grandchildren: Jasper and Ubbe Flikkema; Caleb, Bruce and August VanHaitsma; Willem and Anneka Strikwerda; Harper and Owen Hainline; Penelope and Sylvia Randall; Lucas Randall.
A celebration of the life of James Strikwerda will be held November 8 at Park Christian Reformed Church 1496 32nd St, Holland, MI. The family will receive visitors beginning at 9:30 a.m. followed by the service at 11 a.m. with a time of fellowship immediately afterward. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to World Renew (the humanitarian aid mission of the Christian Reformed Church) and Calvin Seminary.
Comments