"However, as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, And what no human mind has conceived-The things God has prepared for those who love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Skip (Jerry) Sietsema, devoted husband and father of four children passed peacefully into the arms of his savior Jesus surrounded by family and friends at the age of 63.

Skip was born on August 27, 1959, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Jerry Jr. II and Anna Mae (Benson) Sietsema. He attended Ada Christian Elementary and Grand Rapids Christian High School where he excelled in track and football. Skip met his high school sweetheart, Diane Slotsema, in Spanish class and later married her on August 22, 1979. Together they raised their four children, Andy, Liz, Sarah, and Ben.

Skip had a passion and talent for horticulture from a young age. He was the third generation to work the family business, Sietsema's Orchards and diligently studied to maintain best practices in the field. Together he and Diane blessed their community through their horticultural skills and joy in serving others. The orchard was a place for family, friends, and neighbors to gather and enjoy the fruits of their labor.

In addition to farming, Skip was an avid hunter and fisherman. Skip loved to share these passions with his friends and family, often traveling to Canada on fishing trips and taking his grandchildren hunting on their property. He was a hard-working, fun-loving man who could bring a smile through his wonderful sense of humor even in the hardest of times.

Skip was raised in a Christian home and grew into a man of faith, steadfastly raising his own family in a loving, Christian home. During his last months of life, his faith was strengthened through a close bond with the men in his Bible Study Fellowship Group.

As a farmer, Skip understood on a tangible level the reality of his dependence on the Lord. One of his favorite verses reflects the trust he had in God to provide and his true source of joy: "Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines; Though the labor of the olive may fail, and the fields yield no food; though the flock may be cut off from the fold, and there be no herd in the stalls- yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation." Habakkuk 3: 17-18.

Skip was preceded in death by his his father, Jerry Sietsema Jr, his father-in-law, Anderson Slotsema, his mother-in-law Rachel Slotsema and his Granddaughter, Maggie Sietsema. He is survived by his wife Diane, and his children Andy (Mandy) Sietsema and their daughters Layne, Abby, Molly and Sam; Liz (Brad) Post and their children Grace, Caleb, Evalynn and Leah; Sarah (Cory) Wyma and their children Chloe, Greyson and Finnley; and Ben (Jenna) Sietsema and their boys Boden, Fischer, Tucker and Sawyer.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, May 15, 2023, at Ada Bible Church, Cascade Campus, at 1:00pm with a visitation beginning at 11:00am. The family has requested memorial contributions to be made in honor of Skip's life to Potter's House Christian School and Northpointe Christian Schools. Flowers and condolences may be sent to the Sietsema's home. (Addresses and websites listed below)

Potter's House Christian School

810 Van Raalte Dr. SW,

Wyoming, MI 49509

tphgr.org

NorthPointe Christian Schools

3101 Leonard St. NE,

Grand Rapids, MI 49525

npchristian.org

Diane Sietsema

8540 2 Mile Rd.

Ada, MI 49301