Shirley Anne (Meiste) Houtman was a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. She died in Holland, Michigan on her birthday, April 13, 2025, at the age of 88.
Shirley was born in Holland in 1937, the daughter of Evert and Sena Meiste, the youngest of seven children. She graduated from Hope College in 1959 with a degree in education.
She often shared the story of meeting her husband Paul on a blind date in Ann Arbor where she was teaching and Paul was finishing his degree. Their first date was a canoeing excursion organized by mutual friends, and it went well. They were married for 63 years and raised four children together.
Shirley spent much of her adult life as a teacher of young children, first in Ann Arbor and later in Kalamazoo. She retired from the YMCA in Kalamazoo, where she was a Montessori kindergarten teacher.
Shirley lived in Kalamazoo for 50 years, before she and Paul moved to Holland in 2013. She was an engaged member of North Park Reformed Church in Kalamazoo, and later Pillar Church in Holland.
Shirley was a faithful wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed traveling with Paul during their retirement years and was frequently involved in volunteering and mission trips. She enjoyed reading and gardening, and she passed her love of both down to various children and grandchildren. Family members also recall her enjoyment of birding, which inspired some of their travels and lots of teaching about birds to her grandchildren.
Her family has grieved her loss gradually over a period of many years, as dementia took her away from them little by little. Despite her difficulty in remembering details during her later years, she continued to offer a gracious spirit and kind conversation until her very last days. Her best days in the past year have been when her grandchildren and great grandchildren visited. She will be missed and fondly remembered by her family and friends.
Shirley is survived by her husband, Paul Houtman; daughter, Lynda (Bill Troutman) Gravier; daughter, Carmen (Steve) Berens; daughter, Sarah (Alan) Karkosh; son, Bryan (Heather) Houtman; 11 grandchildren: Anna Gravier (Matthew) Symmes, Kevin Gravier, Molly Gravier, Amanda Teske, Morgan Teske, Tyler Berens, Kyle Karkosh, Shane Karkosh, Alison (Daniel) Callahan, Kennedy (Jeremy) Hill, and Ryan Houtman; as well as three great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Langeland-Sterenberg, 315 E. 16th St. Holland, MI 49423.
Memorial contributions in Shirley’s honor may be given to Hospice of Holland, at https://www.hollandhospice.org/ways-to-give/ or by mail to Hospice of Holland, Inc.
270 Hoover Blvd, Holland, MI 49423.
Comments