Arie Versendaal

When reflecting on the life of Arie Versendaal, it is easy to see that he lived to love and serve others in ways both great and small. He was a man of unwavering faith whose life exemplified what it means to be the hands and feet of the Lord he loved. There was no greater gift in Arie’s life than his family, and he was filled with unspeakable joy to witness his family tree blossom to include the grandchildren and great-grandchildren he adored. A successful businessman, he believed in treating others right. Deeply loved, Arie will never be forgotten.

It seems only fitting that Arie’s journey began during a time that was as vibrant as he was. It was the Roaring Twenties when things like jazz music, ballroom dancing, and motion pictures in both color and sound colored the cultural fabric of our nation. Cars were more affordable for the average American during the 1920s as they were finally mass produced on assembly lines all across the nation. Amidst this exciting time was a time of great excitement as Arie Versendaal drew his first breath on June 18, 1922. He was one of seven children as he was joined in his family by his siblings, Tena, Marie, Gary, Dick, Cornelius, and Jackie. As a young man, Arie answered the call to serve his country during the days of WWII.

New and exciting changes were in store for Arie when he met the young woman of his dreams. Her name was Martha, and it didn’t take the couple long to fall deeply in love. With a desire to spend the rest of their lives together the sweethearts were married. Together they welcomed five children including Ruth, Martha Ann, Esther, Richard, and Rachel into their hearts and home. Arie was an amazing father who treasured each of his children. He was always there for his children and made life so much fun. Arie forever viewed the day he married the love of his life and the days that each of his children were born to be the best days of his life. He made the most of his time away from work and was known to tease his children.

To support his family, Arie and his brother, Cornie, owned Versendaal Lincoln Mercury for over 40 years. Arie’s greatest desire was to provide a good life for his wife and children. It has been said that he was a born salesman and was even called the “Car Man.” In fact, he loved buying and selling just about anything. The demonstration vehicles that Arie drove were always meticulously kept, which meant that everyone always wanted to buy his car. Highly successful in his work, Arie earned several awards for best salesman over the years.

Throughout his life Arie was one to keep busy. First and foremost in his life was his faith, and over the years he belonged to a few different churches including Maple Avenue CRC during their early years of marriage as well as Central Avenue CRC, Bethany CRC, and most recently Noordeloos CRC. Social and outgoing, Arie enjoyed breakfast with friends and family at Russ’ Restaurant, and when he went to a Detroit Tigers game he always fed the people next to him. During their retirement years, Arie and his wife spent their winters in Florida where he loved fishing for bluegill. Around home he enjoyed gardening, and it seems he was always inventing and tinkering on something. Arie had an amazing mind and loved finding new ways to make things easier. On a trip to Mammoth Cave with his family, they had to stop at every fruit stand on the way since Arie loved his fruits!

All who knew Arie Versendaal would agree that he was an extraordinary man to know and love. He was patient and compassionate, but what he was most known for was his willingness to help others in any way. It has even been said that Arie would give the shirt off his back if needed. With an unwavering faith as his compass, he was such an inspiration to all who were near. Life will never be the same without Arie here, but he leaves behind a timeless legacy that his family will proudly carry on in his footsteps.

Arie Versendaal, of Holland, died Wednesday, November 29, 2017, at Holland Hospital. Arie’s family includes his children: Esther VandeBunte of Holland, Richard and Barb Versendaal of Holland and Rachel and Jim Nykerk of Holland; sons-in-law: Al and Marcia VandenBerg of Zeeland and Ron VanDerMeulen of Holland; 8 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; brother and sister: Cornelius and Cheryl Versendaal of Holland and Jackie and Ted DeGroot of Lake Arrowhead, CA; brother-in-law: Nick Leep of Zeeland; sister-in-law: Jorena Versendaal of Rockford, IL; many nieces, nephews and cousins Arie was preceded in death by his wife Martha Versendaal in 1995, two daughters, Ruth VandenBerg and Martha Ann VanDerMeulen, two grandsons’, Zachary Versendaal and Chad Nykerk, son-in-law Richard VandeBunte, his sisters Tena Leep and Marie Brower and brothers Gary Versendaal and Dick Versendaal. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, December 4, 2017, at Noordeloos CRC, 4055 112th Avenue, Holland, MI 49424. Reverend Matt Riddle will be officiating. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m., Sunday, December 3, 2017, at Dykstra Funeral Home – Northwood Chapel in Holland. Memorial contributions may be given to the Noordeloos Christian Reformed Church. To sign an online registry or leave a memory please visit www.dykstrafuneralhome.com