Miriam Ruth Van den Akker, age 83, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, June 22, 2026. She was born on July 5, 1942, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Harvey and Gertrude Dykstra.

Miriam lived a full and meaningful life marked by faith, service, hospitality, music, and deep devotion to her family. She graduated from Union High School in 1960 and went on to earn an associate degree in laboratory technology from Elkhart University.

Miriam met Don in junior high school, and after seven years of dating, they were married on March 23, 1962. Together they built a beautiful life and were blessed with four children, eleven grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren. They recently celebrated more than 64 years of marriage.

Music was always an important part of Miriam's life. She took piano lessons as a child, later encouraged her own children in music, and especially enjoyed piano and pipe organ music. She also found joy in cooking, crafts, pets, and creating a warm and welcoming home for those around her.

After seven years of working in New Jersey, Miriam and Don felt called to serve the Lord through Trans World Radio on the Caribbean island of Bonaire in the Netherlands Antilles. Miriam served primarily in the mail department, responding to letters from listeners around the world. She also assisted in the education department, helping missionary children receive instruction in American subjects alongside their studies in the Dutch school system, and she served in hospitality by helping visitors become acquainted with the ministry of TWR.

In 1983, TWR asked Don and Miriam to help begin a broadcast training program in Bussum, the Netherlands, where they served for nearly five years. In 1987, they moved to the Chicago area after responding to a request from a former pastor to join Awana Clubs International Headquarters. During that season, Miriam served in a senior skilled nursing center and later worked as a Realtor with RE/MAX for 24 years, helping many people find homes that were just right for them.

In retirement, Miriam and Don moved to Fairfield Glade, Tennessee, where they became active members of Fairfield Glade First Baptist Church. Miriam faithfully served in many roles there for the next ten years. They also enjoyed spending winter months in Florida with several church families. Later, for health reasons, they returned to Grand Rapids to be closer to family.

Miriam will be lovingly remembered as a steady source of love, support, encouragement, and understanding. Her life reflected her faith in God and her care for others, and she leaves behind a legacy of service, kindness, and devotion to family.

Miriam was preceded in death by her parents, Harvey and Gertrude Dykstra; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Ida Van den Akker; and her son-in-law, Scott Kelly.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Don; her children, Wendy (Kevin) Zuidema, Becky Kelly, Tim Van den Akker, and Christy (Steve) Sutrick; her grandchildren, Emma (Stephen) Ottman, Quinton (Shelby) Zuidema, Erin Ervin, Allison (Kirk) Ervin, Trevor Kelly, Evan Kelly, Sara Van den Akker, Luke (Gianna) Van den Akker, Nathan (Emma) Sutrick, Hannah Sutrick, and Caitlin Sutrick; her great-grandchildren, Tessa Ottman, Harvey Ottman, Everett Ottman, Josie Zuidema, Jude Ervin, Theodore Ervin, Clark Ervin, Lawrence Ervin, Walter Ervin and Channing Sutrick; and her brother, H. Duane (Barbara) Dykstra.

Miriam's family has chosen to celebrate her life with a private family dinner gathering. The family is grateful for the thoughts and prayers of all who knew and loved her.