Sandra Joy Hamberg, 89, of Holland, Michigan, passed away on August 2, 2026. She was born in Muskegon, MI on January 4, 1937, to Jacob Boersema and Marjorie Boersema, and moved to Holland as a young girl with her parents. One of four children, Sandra shared an especially close bond with her sister, Sharon (Robert) Ooms, the two being nearest in age and perfectly “evened out” with the boys in the family. Sandra graduated from Holland High in 1955.
Throughout her life, Sandra worked a few different jobs, and in each one she was known for steady dedication and a willing spirit—someone who did what needed to be done, especially when it meant helping her family. In her 70s, she retired to care for her husband, Dale Hamberg, becoming his full-time caregiver with the same faithful devotion that marked every part of her life until his passing in 2019.
Sandra met Dale in the Holland area, and they were married in February of 1958. Together they welcomed five children and raised their family in the Holland area. Sandra was a devoted mother whose love was not quiet or distant, but present and constant—rain or shine, she could be found in the crowd, cheering her children on and standing among their greatest supporters. Her children remember the cookouts and get-togethers she looked forward to so much, made special by her natural gift for hospitality. She also loved bringing the kids shopping, and Saturday nights often meant dinner at The Hatch—family memories that have remained close to the heart.
In her adult years, Sandra was an active member of a sorority in town and stayed involved and energetic, enjoying volleyball and the friendships that came with it. She delighted in the simple pleasures of everyday life: watching Tigers baseball, keeping her iPad close for a game of Bingo, and, most memorably, Sandra took great pride in sending cards for every occasion, whether birthdays, holidays, get well, or just to let someone know they were on her mind. She had a remarkable way of remembering the details that mattered, holding onto important facts about the people she loved and making others feel seen and valued.
Sandra is preceded in death by her husband, Dale Hamberg; her mother, Marjorie Boersema; her father, Jacob Boersema; and her sister, Sharon (Robert) Ooms. She is survived by her brothers, Frank Boersema and David (Carol) Boersema; her children, Jeff (Kim) Hamberg, Cheryl Fritz, Kelly (Jessica) Hamberg, Steve (Misti) Hamberg, and Kory (Jennifer) Hamberg; her grandchildren, Andrea (Xavier), Izak (Megan), Ian, Abby, Avery, and Mackenzie; and her great-grandchildren, Sabrina and Xavier.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Lakeshore Memorial Services, 11939 James Street, Holland, Michigan 49424, on August 21, 2026, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
