Ann Renkema

February 17, 1940 ~
February 1, 2025

Without ever being separated from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord, our beloved, Ann Clara Renkema, age 84, of Hudsonville Michigan, opened her eyes to glory and beheld her Savior and friend on Saturday Feb. 1, 2025, at 4 pm. She lived with a focus towards the eternal blessings promised in scripture by a faithful Father whose presence was a constant comfort to her in this life. While abiding in God’s love for her, Ann shared her faith, joy, and only comfort with others throughout her life as a wife, ministry partner, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. She was a faithful member of Cornerstone URC in Hudsonville, Michigan for many years, where she professed and worshipped Christ as her Savior. It was in church that she heard repeatedly of how tender God’s mercies are and how firm to the end they remain. Although her race is complete, her legacy is one that points all who love and will miss her towards Christ and His works. 

Ann’s life began during the Second World War, Feb. 17, 1940, in Tzummarum, Friesland to parents, Steven and Renske (Renee) Harkema. After the war in August of 1950, Ann and her family immigrated to the United States and settled in Wyoming Park, Michigan where they attended Wyoming Park CRC. Years later, it was in the house on Newport Street in Wyoming Park where William (Bill) Renkema met Ann. They were married on May 24, 1963 in a double ceremony with her sister Tena, who married Ralph Vunderink. William Renkema, who had attended Calvin College Seminary was soon called to a church in Renfrew, Ontario, Canada. It was in Renfrew that William and Ann began their lives of ministry. After Renfrew, they served in seven more churches. Those churches include: Dundas Ontario, Alymer Ontario, Wyoming Ontario, Hull Iowa, Coopersville Michigan, Salem Oregon, and Port Angeles Washington. In their retirement years they served in several vacant churches around the United States and even in New Zealand. They were often in these churches for two to three months, allowing each church time to find new pastors. Ann had been given the gift of hospitality and had a servant heart for many she met who needed to hear about the love of Jesus. She served in the ‘Right to Life’ community and was a counselor to women in crisis pregnancy situations. Her love for the Lord guided her walk until the Lord took her home. 

Ann was preceded in death by her son, Marc Renkema; parents, Steven and Renee Harkema; sister and brother-in-law, Joan and John Vanderwey; brother-in-law, Bill Bakelaar; and sister and brother-in-law, Tena and Ralph Vunderink.

She is survived by her husband, William Renkema; and children, Renee and Ken Anema, Kari Renkema, Steve and Anna Renkema, Denise and Brent Tjeerdsma, Joel and Sophia Renkema, and Eric Renkema; 17 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.  Also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, Sid and Betsy Harkema; sister, Janet Bakelaar; and sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Bill Hordyk.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Cornerstone United Reformed Church, 6442 36th Ave., Hudsonville, with Rev. Ken Anema officiating. Burial will take place at Georgetown Township Cemetery. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Friday, February 7, from 7-9 pm at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Divine Hope Reformed Bible Seminary