Gerri Terpstra

**** There will be a time to celebrate Gerris life, with family and friends, immediately following the graveside service. It will be held at Servant's Community Church located at 53 Deloney St.SW, Desserts, punch and coffee will be provided.

On Wednesday, November 14, 2018 Gerri Terpstra went to be with her Heavenly Father. She was called home while in the care of her daughter Amy, granddaughter Casey Hoadley and Casey’s husband David and daughters Zoie, Bailey, and Marley. She was born Geraldine Boogaard on December 30, 1932 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. But to all who knew her, she was always “Gerri”!

She loved to paint, particularly, scenes from nature… You can find many of her paintings with friends, family and her church.

Gerri lived a life of service to the community in which she lived. In 1967 when racial strife was occurring across the country, including Detroit and Grand Rapids, she was so moved by the injustices she saw happening to the African American community, that she asked the leaders of her church what she could do to be a part of reconciliation. Having received what she felt to be a negative response, she found another church which was also seeking reconciliation…

She worked at The Other Way Ministries as a receptionist. While there, she provided a weekly lunch for neighbors, started a Bible study with local women, many of them homeless. From these associations, she made many long lasting

Friendships. She also volunteered at Straight and Sibley schools helping kids with reading and spelling. She maintained relationships with some of those students for years.

Gerri was industrious and enterprising. She and her sister would go to Grand Valley State University the day after class ended in the spring. The two of them would dumpster dive and find a vast array of articles which students, in a hurry to leave, had discarded. After gathering the usable findings, they would have a very profitable yard sale.

She passed away peacefully during her daily prayer reading surrounded by loved ones.

Loving mother, grandmother and friend passed away November 14, 2018. Gerri was born December 30, 1932 to the late Gerrit and Josie (Maas) Boogaard. She was also preceded in death by her son, Scott Terpstra; daughter, Catherine Terpstra; and brother, Cornelius Boogaard. Gerri was a member of Servant's Community Church. She will be remembered for her servant's heart toward all people of her community. Gerri is survived by her children, Linda Terpstra, Joe Terpstra, Amy Wildie, Rick Terpstra; daughter in law, Debbie Terpstra; 11 grandchildren; many great grandchildren; and sister, Lucille Kooinga. The family extends a special thank you to daughter, Amy and granddaughter, Casey Hoadley and family for their loving care of Gerri. A funeral service will be held Monday, November 19 at 1 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW. Friends may visit with family on Sunday from 2-5 PM at the funeral home. Interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer's Association. Please visit Gerri's web page to read more of her life story, leave a memory or condolence at www.lifestorynet.com.