Henry Isaac Witte, age 80, beloved child of God, passed into the arms of Jesus early on September 11, 2024.

Henk was born in Vreeswijk, the Netherlands, on January 18, 1944, during the Nazi occupation of Holland. His parents, John and Ena, were part of the Dutch resistance, and their faith and values shaped Henk's worldview in significant ways. The growing Witte family moved to Drimmelen for a time, and eventually immigrated to Grand Rapids, MI when Henk was 12 years old.

Henk's entrepreneurial spirit was evident as a teen, when he began selling ice cream for Joppe Dairy, negotiating for better commissions and a motorized scooter to increase his sales. He participated and thrived in Junior Achievement during high school. After graduating from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1962, he enlisted in the Army and served in the Army Reserves.

On September 3, 1964, he married his high school sweetheart, Thressa, and began a career in the travel industry. His first jobs were with TWA and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, in Chicago and later in New York City. When his first son, John, was born in 1969, the call of family and community led Henk and Thressa back to Grand Rapids and into the world of group tour operations. In 1975 he and Thressa began their own company, Witte Associates, in the basement of their home. In 1977, their second son, Henry, was born. Meanwhile, Henk's experience, gifts, work ethic, and personality all contributed to a growing business that became a recognized leader in the local and national travel scene. He was blessed with incredible colleagues and clients, and found rich meaning in helping others explore the world's history, cultures, and scenic places. Witte Travel continues to maintain that excellence and mission today.

Among his many involvements were 20 years as the Honorary Dutch Consul for West Michigan, working as a representative of the Dutch government. He was also instrumental in reopening and fundraising for the Sárospatak Reformed Theological Academy in Hungary. He was an active member of the Christian Reformed Church throughout his life, most recently at LaGrave Avenue CRC. Henk obviously loved travel and was always planning his next trip or helping others plan theirs. But boating was a passion--in the Netherlands, the Great Lakes, and around the Great Loop.

Beyond his business and involvements, Henk was committed to his friends, family, and faith. He had a close-knit group of friends who stayed connected until the end. He was the oldest of 9 children and recognized the deep and abiding love and support of siblings, particularly in his later years. He was so proud of his sons, adored his daughters-in-law, and cherished his grandkids, who he loved to make laugh--even in his final days. But his best friend and partner, in sickness and in health, was Thressa, his dearly-loved wife of 60 years and fellow world traveler. Above all these, his Christian faith guided his life--from integrity in business, to hospitality at home, to generosity in giving, to appreciation of the world God gave us to explore. As his life's journey came to a close, his testimony of love and trust in his Savior gave his family comfort and peace.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Ena Witte, and his brothers Teunis and Johannes. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Thressa; sons John (Rachel) and Henry (Becky); grandchildren Jacob (Jessica), Jonah (fiancé Jess Stehouwer), Emma, Luke, Isaac, and Silas; siblings Jo (Dan) Bajema, Sophia Witte (Phil VandeRiet), Herman (Laurie) Witte, Ina (Warren) Burmeister, Paul Witte, Marlene (Tom) Kramer; sisters-in-law Phyllis Witte and Linda Barendse-Witte; sisters-in-law Winifred (John) Hall, Wilma (Peter) Kramer, and Shirley (Peter) Kuperus; many wonderful nephews and nieces, close cousins and former colleagues in the Netherlands; and dear friends who have enriched his and Thressa's lives. Henk's family is particularly grateful for the support of Pastor Chad Boorsma in the final weeks of Henk's life.

Visitation Hours will be on Sunday, September 15, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton St SE. The Memorial Service will be Monday, September 16, at 11:00 a.m. at LaGrave Ave. CRC, 107 LaGrave Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. (A time of visitation prior to the service will begin at 10:00 a.m.)

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the John and Ena Witte Scholarship Fund at Rehoboth Christian School, P.O. Box 41, Rehoboth, NM 87322 (make check out to Rehoboth Christian School, with "Witte Scholarship Fund" on the Memo line), or the Henry Beets Mission Society at LaGrave Ave. CRC.