Lester Lee Ritsema Obituary

A Celebration of Life is being planned. Lester will be laid to rest at Maple Grove Cemetery, Antwerp Twp. Memorial contributions may be made to SPCA of Southwest Michigan, in c/o the funeral home.

Passed away on Wednesday evening, September 11, 2024, four days after his 85th birthday, which he had celebrated with his family. Lester was born in Kalamazoo on September 7, 1939, the son of Henry and Lillian (Burrows) Ritsema. On August 22, 1981, he married Christine Callender who survives him. Lester enjoyed camping and travelling. He loved being on the river, kayaking, rafting and canoeing. He had several jobs but his greatest joy was working at Van Bochove's Greenhouse where he met lifelong friends. He took care of so many things in that job, making sure that the temperature was steady on cold nights, making sure deliveries were complete and that things were well-maintained. He later had a career as a truck driver for local companies. In all his travels he gained a love for going up north and for the Mackinac Bridge. Lester was a great storyteller. He had a story for everything. He never met a stranger and liked and was liked by everyone he met. He was a great lover of dogs and had a special affection for his dog, Chara. Nothing was more important to him than spending time with family. He especially loved his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Chris enjoyed making gingerbread houses for each family. Chris would make the gingerbread and Lester would put them together. Besides his wife, Lester is survived by his children, Ron (Becky) Ritsema, Shirley Webber, Phyllis Ritsema, Lori (John) Siebel, Bettie (Rich Maze) Ritsema, Henry (Trina Jecks) Ritsema, Karen (Bob) Louis, Richard Ritsema, Lyle Wesenberg, James (Kristina) Ritsema; nineteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews; and countless friends. Lester was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Beth Ritsema; three sisters; and a brother.