Lucille A. Sytsema

Born Lucille Ann Osenga on December 3, 1932 to Charles and Anne Osenga in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she was the eighth of nine children. She graduated from Creston High School in 1950. She worked for the City of Wyoming in various positions from 1957 (when it was still a township) until retiring in 1995 as an administrative secretary. During that time, she was active in Professional Secretaries International, serving as president at the local and then state level.

Lucille was married to Russell Sytsema from 1953 to 1988. Together they had two daughters, Barbara and Cynthia. Although still working, Lucille made time to volunteer for her girls’ school activities. She was very proud of her daughters, bragging about them to everyone (to her daughters’ embarrassment). Later, she added her son-in-law, grandkids, and great-grandkids to that list.

Lucille was always on the go. She enjoyed bowling on leagues for years. She loved to travel, eventually visiting all 50 states, plus Europe. Lucille loved to sing. She belonged to choirs most of her life. She was still singing at the choir at Sunset up to the week before she died. It didn’t matter that she was in a wheelchair and was fatigued, she sang anyway because all that singing was for God.

Lucille followed Jesus all her life. She trusted Him, especially when times got tough. She was raised in Calvary Undenominational Church. Later she belonged to Grace Reformed Church for many years (singing in the choir, of course). She passed her faith on to her daughters. Since 2012 she had been involved with a community outreach called Connections led by Pastor George Grevenstuk. Her passion was to show the love of Christ to the people from the community who attended the service and meal served. They loved her and the many desserts she always brought.

Lucille loved to give. She couldn’t say no to anyone who needed help. Over the years, she regularly supported Connections, WCSG (Christian radio), Thrive Ministries International, Family Network of Wyoming, and others. Lucille was the quintessential volunteer. She not only volunteered at blood drives, but also gave over 10 gallons of her own blood. She served as a volunteer at Butterworth Hospital, Big Sisters, Club 3:16 (Grace youth outreach), and others.

Lucille is survived by her sister, Martha Derogee (Dan); daughters Barbara (Sytsema) Halverson of Hillsboro, OR and Cynthia (Sytsema) Miller (George) of Hudsonville, MI; her grandkids Matthew Halverson (Annie) of Denver, CO, Jason and Geoffrey Miller of Hudsonville, and Stacy (Miller) Kleyn (Tim) of Grand Rapids; her great-grandkids Savannah Halverson of Sedro Woolley, WA and Bailey Halverson of Denver.

Lucille’s penchant for bringing a smile will be missed.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 17, 2019 at 10 a.m., followed by the memorial service at 11 a.m. at Cook Memorial Chapel, 4235 Prairie St. SW, Grandville.

The family requests that donations be made to Connections in lieu of flowers. Send to Connections c/o Calvary CRC, 3500 Byron Center Ave. SW, Wyoming, MI 49519.

The family welcomes memories and messages in their guest book online at www.cookcares.com.

To view the Keepsake Video please click on the link below.

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