Robin Ritsema

Surrounded by his family went home to his Savior Wednesday morning April 10, 2019. Robin was born November 25, 1934, in Birnamwood, Wisconsin a son of Henry and Winifred (Nieboer) Ritsema. He had been a Kalamazoo area resident since 1952. On August 17, 1956, he was united in marriage to Carol M. (Munting) Ritsema who survives. Also surviving, 6 children, Mark (Grace) Ritsema of Mattawan, John (Vickie Smittendorf) Ritsema of Vicksburg, Cherlyn Ritsema of Gobles, Lisa Horton of Kalamazoo, Michelle (Bill) Covell of Schoolcraft, and Sara (Cormick) Raden of Caledonia; 10 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; a sister, Katherine Bonnema of Schoolcraft; 2 brothers, Fred Ritsema and Henry (Rika) Ritsema all of Kalamazoo; and several nieces and nephews. He served honorably with the U.S. Army with assignment in Germany the first years of his marriage. He owned and operated Robin Ritsema Masonry before retiring. Robin was a longtime member of Second Christian Reformed Church and recently was a member of Texas Bible Church. He served his church community as a Sunday School Teacher for 27 years sharing his knowledge, love and service to his Lord. Robin had fond memories of growing up on a farm in Wisconsin before coming to Kalamazoo. He was a true artist with his masonry and construction work and in his later years returned to his farming roots to offer his wisdom in care of a vegetable garden. Services will be held at 11 o'clock Tuesday, April 16th, at Texas Corners Bible Church, 7780 South 8th St. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Private burial will be held in Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Please visit Robin's personalized webpage for directions, online guestbook, or to leave a condolence. Memorial donations may be directed to the Special Olympics of Michigan Area 11 (Basketball) or the Pediatric Endocrinology Fund (Juvenile Diabetes) at Helen Devos Children's Hospital. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. www.langelands.com.