On March 7, 2026, Beatrice Zylstra (Bea) of Grand Rapids was called home by her Lord and Savior.

Bea was born in Jamestown, Michigan on November 18, 1930, to Benjamin and Minnie VanDerWeide. As a young girl, Bea lived in Massachusetts until moving to Grand Rapids prior to high school. After graduating from Wyoming Lee, she attended one year of college and a short time later married Frank W. Grotenhuis. The couple were blessed to be married for 43 years until Frank's death in 1993. Together, they raised two children: Judy Lynn and William "Frank".

Travel was a passion of Bea's. She visited many foreign and national landmarks, collecting beautiful keepsakes and gifts along the way. Bea earned her private pilot's license in 1969 and subsequently co-piloted flights for the family business. However, Bea's love of beauty and adventure came second to her heart for ministry. As a long-time member of Calvary Church, Bea acted as Sunday School Superintendent, VBS volunteer, Pioneer Girls leader and enjoyed being part of the church's many activities and events. For many years, Bea also served as a board member for Children's Bible Hour. Beyond these acts of service to her local community, she supported a myriad of other ministries and missionaries in various ways. Bea cultivated many friends in Naples, Florida over the years where she wintered in Pelican Bay. Over the summers, Bea enjoyed spending time on Lake Michigan at Maranatha Bible & Missionary Conference and became involved with their Women's Ministry for some time.

In 2003, Bea married David B. Zylstra and in doing so was blessed by an extended group of loyal and loving family members. Additionally, Bea cultivated a beautiful home, extended hospitality to many, and shared in abundance with friends and family over her 95 years of life.

Bea was preceded in death by Dave in 2020, as well as her six siblings and many friends. Bea will be dearly missed by her children, step-children, many grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

The family would like to express a deep gratitude to all those who visited Bea in her last years, as well as those staff members who demonstrated a wealth of kindness and care for her at Holland Home.

A funeral will be held at Zaagman Memorial Chapel (2800 Burton St SE, Grand Rapids, MI) on Saturday, March 14 at 3:00PM. The family will be available at 1:30PM to welcome visitors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Undenominational Church or Maranatha Bible & Missionary Conference.