Willard Kloosterman, age 93 of Zeeland, passed away Friday, January 30, 2026. He was born on a beautiful fall day, September 22, 1932, the twelfth of fourteen children, at the family farmhouse in Beaverdam, Michigan. Raised on the farm, Willard learned the value of hard work early in life and grew up speaking Dutch, the language his parents used in prayer around the supper table.
A true farm boy at heart, Willard worked hard and played hard. He proudly served in the United States Army and later met a pretty brunette named Arlene, whom he courted in his beloved 1957 Chevy. They shared 64 years of marriage filled with faith, family, and steadfast love.
He retired from the Ottawa County Road Commission (Hudsonville Garage) in 1995 after 26 years. Willard enjoyed many hobbies over the years, including tractor pulling, hunting, trapping, NASCAR, and go-cart racing. He also found joy in the quieter things—birdwatching and searching for arrowheads. Whatever he did, he did with enthusiasm and curiosity.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Rolena Kloosterman, as well as siblings and in-laws.
Willard will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 64 years, Arlene; his children and grandchildren: Beth Kloosterman (Shelby and Zac Blouw), Debbie and Steve Maxwell (Jacob, Taylor, and Mitchell), Jayne and Brian DeKraker (Zach and Sierra); two great-grandchildren, River and Koast; sister, Esther Essenburg; in-laws, Sherry and Marv DeWent, Bonnie and Norm Vredeveld, and Rose Kuyers; several nephews, nieces, and cousins.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.” We look forward to seeing him again.
Funeral and Military Honors will be held at 1 pm, Tuesday (February 3) at Holland Heights Christian Reformed Church, 836 East 8th Street, with Rev. Ralph Biedler officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation will be 6-8 pm Monday (February 2) at the Dykstra Funeral Home-Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street.
Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice or Heights of Hope.
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