It is with great sadness and relief that the family of Gretchen Ann Zuiderveen announces her passing on May 7, 2026 after her battle with ALS. She leaves behind a loving web of family and friends who adored her.

Gretchen was born to Jacob and Thelma Heerema on May 22, 1945. She was the oldest of her siblings Norman, Allen and Susan, all who survive her. She attended Timothy Christian in Oak Park, Illinois, followed by Calvin College and later Michigan State University. Gretchen met her future husband, George Zuiderveen, while attending Calvin.

She married George in 1967, and they embarked on a 58-year marriage together. They had two children, Joshua (Abby), and Jessica (Brian) Colton, who survive her along with their children, Darby and Gray, and Theo and Reid (respectively). Gretchen helped raise her children in a world view which included nurturing, learning, and making an impact.

Early in her professional life, Gretchen was the Dean of Women at Calvin College. She and George then moved out to a farm near Lake Odessa, where Gretchen raised her kids with the outdoors and animals in mind, and networked with other moms out in that rural community. Later, after moving into Grand Rapids, she began substitute teaching and eventually found her calling teaching 5th graders at Alger Elementary, a Grand Rapids Public School. Mrs. Zuiderveen (Mrs. Z.) believed in her students in the truest way. She taught during years when making house calls to families in the evening was still done. At least one of her former students became a teacher herself.

After years of camping in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Gretchen and George made a dream come true when they had a log cabin built near Grand Marais, Michigan. This cabin became an important place where they made many friends, connected with the wilderness of Michigan, and spent quality time with loved ones. Gretchen volunteered much of her retired life to the landscape, removing thousands of invasive plants and sharing many natives with friends and family around the state.

A celebration of Gretchen's life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, June 27, at Fountain Street Church, 24 Fountain St. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service from 10 to 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Fountain Street Church, The Rogue River Watershed Partners, or the River City Wild Ones.