Allen Jay Riemersma

Allen J. Riemersma, of Zeeland, finished his race on the morning of Thursday, October 29, 2026, and heard the words he had spent a lifetime longing for: "Well done, good and faithful servant." He was 88.

Allen was born October 17, 1938, in Byron Center, to George and Julia Riemersma. As a young man he enrolled at Grace Bible College in Grand Rapids, where he met a young woman named Ethel Adeline Crane. He married her on June 29, 1963, and for the next 63 years they walked through life side by side — raising a family, serving their church, and growing old together.

By trade, Allen was a pharmacist, and a good one. He owned and ran his own pharmacies in Huizenga Food Centers, where customers knew him by name and trusted him with their families' care. When the stores were sold, he carried that same care to Meijer Pharmacy, where he worked until he retired.

But if you asked Allen what was important to him, he would have told you about the Word of God. A faithful member of Parkside Bible Church for 83 years, Allen taught Sunday school and led Bible studies, opening Scripture week after week for anyone willing to listen. His Bible was well worn, his notes were many, and his door was always open to anyone with a question. Nothing brought him more joy than seeing his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren come to know and love the Lord. That was his life's work.

Allen was preceded in death by his parents, George and Julia, and his brother, Larry.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Ethel; his children, Cindi (Randy) Arendsen, Amy (Mike) Cooke, and Jay (Cara) Riemersma; ten grandchildren, Kaiti (Nate) Oppenhuizen, Christian Arendsen, Kirby (Ricardo) Angulo, Kinsey (Aidan) Van Singel, Olivia (Caleb) Akins, Alex Cooke, Aaron (Hannah) Cooke, Sophia (Jake) Swyers, Trip Riemersma, and Nick Riemersma; ten great-grandchildren, Cleo, Olly, Hattie, Jett, Leo, Skylar, Marcel, Elias, Samuel, Mabel; and his sister, Sharon Hoogendoorn.

Visitation will be held on Friday, November 13, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Parkside Bible Church, 14461 James Street, Holland.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 14, at Parkside Bible Church, 14461 James Street, Holland. Friends may visit with the family one hour before the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to Parkside Bible Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to Lakeshore Memorial Services. Memories and condolences may be shared at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/holland-mi/allen-riemersma-13097626

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." — 2 Timothy 4:7