Pamela Jean (Sanderson) Van Lopik, 66, of Grand Rapids, was called home by her Savior and Lord on October 25, 2022, after a month-long illness. She was born to William and Frances Sanderson, the third of four children, at Christmastime of 1955, and grew up across the Midwest in St. Louis, MO, Wheaton, Il, and Grand Rapids, MI.

Pam graduated from Calvin College in 1978 with a degree in Education. There Pam was introduced to her future husband by Beth, her good friend and Jim's cousin. Prior to their marriage in 1980 she taught school at Sheboygan Christian School in Sheboygan, WI. After Pam and Jim were married and moved to St. Louis, MO, she taught part-time and served as a school librarian for several years at Westminster Christian Academy. After moving back to Michigan, she devoted herself to raising her children and serving in her church. She called on her teaching experience again both to homeschool her children while the family spent a year in France and to lead the Kids Hope USA mentoring ministry at Millbrook CRC for ten years.

Pam was a life-long child of God, and is now glorifying him and enjoying him forever. Second only to her love for Jesus, she loved her family more than life itself. She was often quiet, but always thoughtful. She delighted in the beauties found in God's creation, in music, and in literature, and she nurtured a love for them in her children as well. In her middle years she faced emotional difficulties, and in her later years dealt with physical challenges, yet she persevered, leaning on God. Those trials only enhanced her bright gift of creativity, expressed through painting, sewing, needlework, and stitchery in works large and tiny. As her brother Bill shared, "Pam's creativity, skill, smile, laugh, enthusiasm, genuine caring spirit, love for learning and sharing – and much more – will be missed. We can rejoice in knowing her faith was strong and her journey from here will be joyous."

Pam will be deeply missed by her beloved husband of 42 years, Jim; by her dear children, Laura and Adam Cook, Lisa and Alex Woidtke, and Brian Van Lopik; by her precious granddaughters, Natalie and Amber Cook, and Lily, Eve, and Claire Woidtke; by her sisters and brothers, Collyn and Michael Hawn, Sylvia and Gary Hawisher, Bill and Betty Sanderson; by her sisters- and brothers-in-law Sue and Paul Rhoda, Tom and Cathy Van Lopik, Kari and Dave Brinks; and by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A service of remembrance and thanksgiving will be held on Tuesday, November 1, at 11:00 AM at Fuller Avenue Christian Reformed Church (1239 Fuller Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506), with Rev. Nate DeJong McCarron officiating. Visitation will be at the church from 10:00-11:00 AM on Tuesday, prior to the service, and also on Sunday, October 30, from 2:00-4:00 PM at Zaagman Memorial Chapel (2800 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546). Private interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Jim and the family extend their heartfelt thanks to the skilled and caring staff, doctors, and – especially – nurses at Trinity Health St. Mary's hospital, who worked diligently for weeks to support Pam.

In lieu of flowers, those who care to donate to a worthy cause in Pam's memory are invited to consider Kids Hope USA.