Stephen John Sietsema

Rev. Stephen Sietsema, age 83, went to be with his Lord and Savior Monday, November 17, 2025. He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Sietsema. He is survived by his wife, Sue Sietsema; children Jo Anne (Ken) Hewitt, Robin Sietsema, Joel Sietsema, and John (Susan) Sietsema; grandchildren Sarah (Cooper) Jones, Andrew (Jarilyn) Hewitt, Jonathan Hewitt, Nikita Sietsema, Stephen Sietsema, Lily Sietsema, Isaac Sietsema, Samuel Sietsema, and Katie Sietsema; great-grandson, Jacob Jones; sister, Dora VanderHulst; brothers- and sisters-in-law Betty Harkema, Jane Hoekstra, Marten (Marcia) Vegter, Gerda (Arvin) Gunnink, and Case (Val) Vegter; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Stephen was born and raised in Eastmanville, MI. He went to Ferris State University where he earned a civil engineering degree. He then worked as surveyor for construction of I-196 from GR to Jenison and I-96 GR to Muskegon while enrolled at Ferris State (work study). He felt the call to ministry and went to RBC for one year to be sure of the calling. While at RBC, he met Sue. He then transferred to Calvin College (BA - religion and theology) to finish his credits before going on to Calvin Theological Seminary (M-Div). Upon completing seminary, he was called to Aetna CRC (1972) where he was ordained in the CRC church. He accepted a call to Immanuel CRC in Cornwall, Ontario, Canada in 1978 where he served until 1988. He moved back to GR in 1988 to be close to family. He worked at Miller Zeilstra Lumber from 1988 until retirement in 2007. He moved from GR to Hudsonville in 2021 where he lived until he was called home to the side of Jesus.

From the birth of his first grandchild in 1992 he answered to the name "Opa." Stephen valued his faith and family above anything else. He enjoyed woodworking, genealogical research, and reading (especially westerns, biographies, and sci-fi). He will be deeply missed.

A memorial service will be held 11 a.m. Monday, November 24, 2025 at Messiah CRC, 2900 Springdale St., Hudsonville, MI 49426, with visitation prior to the service beginning at 10 a.m. Rev. Nate Meldrim will officiate.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvin Theological Seminary. The family welcomes memories and messages at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in their guestbook online.