Dorothy Jean (Voetberg) Ondersma, of Ada, MI, went home to her Savior on Thursday, July 2, 2026, at the age of 93 and is now singing with the choir of angels. She was born in a Grand Rapids, MI farmhouse on April 10, 1933, to Christine and Henry Voetberg. She graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School and Calvin College. In what would prove to be a lifelong adventurous streak, she moved to New Jersey immediately after graduation to teach, during which time she enjoyed frequent trips into New York City. Living most of her life in Ohio and Michigan, she shared her tremendous musical talents as a vocal soloist, a member of many choirs including the LaGrave Avenue CRC choir and the Cleveland Orchestra Blossom Festival Chorus, and as a soloist with the 'Defiance Trio,' which produced a record in 1976. Neighbors far and wide knew the Ondersma home as the one that always emanated the sounds of piano and singing (especially operatic vocal scales, to the bewilderment of neighborhood children). She taught choir for many years at Kirtland Public Schools in Ohio, where her dedication to her students left a lasting impression. Many have stayed in touch or reached out to thank her over the years, even as recently as a few months ago. Dorothy was also a beloved wife, mother, and friend who was deeply devoted to her family and took great joy in lovingly preparing exceptional meals for family gatherings. She was well known for her love of music and books, her beautiful voice, her care for her home and garden, and her wonderful cooking — as well as her endearing (and sometimes trying!) dedication to making everything in her life just so.

Dorothy is survived by her three sons and daughters-in-law and eight grandchildren: Paul and Erika (Reece and Seth), Steve and Michele (Annelies, Nolan, and Cooper), and Karl and Deborah (Audrey, Leah, and Ike). Other surviving family members include her sister Ruth Voetberg and brothers Wendell, Clair (Maxine), and Robert Voetberg, and sister-in-law Claire Voetberg, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Christine Voetberg, her brothers Cal and Jim, and her husband of 53 years, Ralph Ondersma.

The family also thanks Carol Hamstra, Bev Smith, and Tammy Phillips for the special care and love provided to Dorothy.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 8 from 6:00–8:00 PM at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton SE in Grand Rapids. The funeral service will be held Thursday, July 9 at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 107 LaGrave Ave SE in Grand Rapids, at 1:30 PM with a brief reception to follow. The service will also be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/@LaGraveChurch. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church's Benevolence Fund, 107 LaGrave Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (http://www.lagrave.org), or to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation (https://www.crohnscolitisfoundation.org).