Zelma Arlene Zylstra

Zelma Arlene Zylstra, 92 (10 days shy of her 93rd birthday), passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 12, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Jack Zylstra (2014), her parents Louis (1972) & Loiva (1993) Hathaway, her sister Carol Hagen (1981), brother & sister-in-law Don (1995) & Shirley (2023) Hathaway and grandchildren, Krista (1987) & Jonathan (1994) Zylstra. She leaves behind her two sons Gary (Patti) Zylstra, Brian (Linda) Zylstra, 10 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and a sister Irene (Bud) Danley along with other extended family members.

Zelma graduated from Creston high school in 1950 and married Jack less than a year later in 1951. She was a homemaker who loved her family, cooking, sewing, playing the organ, camping and reading. Later in their marriage she and Jack spent his early retirement attached at the hip. They loved spending time in Florida, South Carolina and going on a number of cruises together.

After he passed away, she spent over 10 years enjoying the community and friends she made at Breton Woods Holland Home. She was a believer who enjoyed attending Calvary Church and going to a Bible study there when she was able.

She especially loved the time she spent with her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. We will always remember her for her sweetness, her fun sense of humor and her beautiful smile!

A graveside committal service will be held for family and close friends at Fairplains Cemetery on July 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM (coordinated by Reyers North Valley Chapel) followed by a Celebration of Life open house for all who wish to attend held from 3:30 to 6:30 PM at the Evergreen Room at Thousand Oaks Golf Club Events Center in Grand Rapids, MI. Stop in for food, fellowship, sharing fun memories and lots of photos!

For those who wish, memorial contributions can be made in her name to Breton Woods Holland Home BEC Center.