When Alyce (Swierenga) Houskamp reflected on her long life, one thing stood out: God was always there to carry her through life's joys and challenges. And on May 16, 2026, he carried her home.

The third child and oldest daughter in a family of six children, Alyce was born on April 20, 1938, and grew up in Cicero, Illinois, in a home where company was always welcome, music was always playing, and family life orbited around steadfast faith. Alyce and her siblings remained close in adulthood, regularly reuniting for "Sib Suppers" and other get-togethers. Growing up in such a musical household instilled in Alyce a lifelong love of music. She became an accomplished pianist and organist and sang in choirs throughout her life.

It was through choir that she met her husband, Richard Houskamp, while a student at Calvin University, where she got her degree in education. The pair married in 1960 and built a life together anchored by their shared commitment to faith, family, service, and hospitality. Over their 58-year marriage, they shared countless laughs, RV adventures, dinner dates at First Wok, winters in Florida, and treasured times with friends and family.

As an educator, Alyce was passionate about literacy and supporting children with learning disabilities, earning a master's of education from Loyola University. Through her work as a reading intervention teacher at Ada Christian School, she helped many children learn to read. Alyce served as the school librarian as well.

She was also a voracious reader herself. Alyce was devoted to her book club and could always be counted on for a thoughtful book recommendation. Her many hobbies also included knitting, crocheting, swimming, travel, wood-burning, playing games–Gin Rummy was a favorite–and completing Sudoku puzzles.

She and Richard were deeply involved members of Woodlawn Christian Reformed Church, where they continued sharing their musical gifts as choir members.

A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and friend to many, Alyce will be deeply missed and remembered with gratitude for her caring heart, beautiful smile, and deep faith in her Savior.

She is survived by children Beth Houskamp (and the late Randy Bartman), John (Beth) Houskamp, Kathy (Joel) Ruiter, and Bill (Amy) Houskamp; sister Grace (Gary) Nyland and brothers Robert (Dianne) Swierenga, Ray Swierenga, Don (Mary) Swierenga, and John (Virginia) Swierenga; siblings-by-marriage Jeanne (Don) Rood and Bob (Joan) Houskamp; and grandchildren Seth Bartman, Alyssa (Tyler) Houskamp, Ethan (Yena Kim) Houskamp, Grace (Daniel Ferrell) Ruiter, Ben (Nicole Verheek) Ruiter, Ellie Ruiter, Will (Stephanie) Houskamp, Owen (Allie) Houskamp, Emma Houskamp, Allie Houskamp and great-grandchild, William (son of Will and Stephanie Houskamp). She joins in heaven her husband, Richard; son-in-law, Randy Bartman; her parents, John and Marie Swierenga; in-laws, John and Elizabeth Houskamp; and sisters-in-law, Cindy and Joan Swierenga, Jean Rood, and Margaret and Marilyn Houskamp .

A celebration of Alyce's life will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2026, at the Calvin University Chapel, 1835 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Memorial contributions in Alyce's memory may be made to Home Repair Services or Faith Hospice.

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