Sandra Ellen Meppelink Klassen passed away on Dec. 12 at Faith Hospice after a two-year battle with ovarian cancer. She is survived by her husband of 49 years, Dave Klassen of Kentwood, MI; son Brian Klassen (wife Em Jacoby and children Hendrik, Estella, and Lorena) of Chicago, IL; brother John (wife Deb) Meppelink of Wyoming, MI; sister Sue (husband Bob) Boland of Port Washington, WI; sisters- and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her second child Jeffrey, parents, and sister Sharon Meppelink.

Born in Grand Rapids, Sandy was the oldest child of Rev. John L. Meppelink and Evelyn Atema Meppelink. Sandy had a bachelor's degree from Calvin University, a master's from Michigan State University, and a doctorate in Organic Chemistry from University of New Mexico. Sandy worked for Sandia National Laboratories, living in Albuquerque for 40 years before retiring to Kentwood, Michigan in 2018.

Sandy always loved hiking, collecting rocks, and taking photographs. In her retirement she enjoyed a creative writing group and Bible study, sewing for grandchildren and for Project Linus, and gardening. She was a scientist to the end, with an attention to detail and a desire to learn.

Donations in Sandy's memory can be made to Roadrunner Food Bank (rrfb.org) in Albuquerque, NM where she volunteered, Geez Magazine (geezmagazine.org), a non-profit magazine which inspired and challenged her, and Brookside Christian Reformed Church (brooksidecrc.org), her faith community. A Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at 11am on April 22, 2023, at Brookside Christian Reformed Church. If one wishes to watch the memorial service via livestream, you are welcome to do so on Brookside Christian Reformed Church's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/@BrooksideCRC/streams