Irwin "Dale" Streur

Irwin ‘Dale’ Streur was welcomed into this world on January 17, 1933 to parents Richard and Jacoba (Jackie Harthorn) in the upstairs apartment of the old Central Park grocery store in Holland, Michigan. Dale was 91 years young at the time of his passing (on May 13, 2024), which also happened to coincide on his father’s birthday.

Dale’s early childhood consisted of developing a lifetime of hunting and fishing. The fields in which he hunted turned out to be where he would reside the last two years of his life. Growing up, his dad would always tell him; ‘if you don’t smoke or drink then you will have money for hunting and fishing’. Reliable as a young adult, Dale was employed by Rivulet Hurst Dairy for which he was entrusted with the key to the Felt Mansion to place the delivered milk in the refrigerator. Somewhere around the 1950’s, Dale and Ivan Schrotenboer skipped Sunday night church services to begin their adventurous road trip out to Los Angeles…and they made it in 48 hours!

Dale was a man who served the Lord by doing things to help others improve their character. Prior to enlisting in the army, he worked at Roamer Boat Company. Upon returning from the army, his job was waiting for him for which he would develop his welding skills that would take him through to retirement. Dale’s enlistment in the army for the Korean War was from 1953-1955 and most notably a few months prior to discharge, he was elevated to a temporary sergeant status. After the war was over he met his bride-to-be and they were married December 1, 1955 in the Zeeland Reformed Church. Dale and Marilyn would go to celebrate 68 years of marriage.

Approximately somewhere around the 1960’s Dale went to work for R.J. Peterson (Tower Marina) which gave him a strong fascination for ‘boats’. After R.J. moved most of his business to Gary, Indiana; Dale realized this would include him/family as well, so naturally declined the promotion to continue to reside in Holland, Michigan.

At this point he was offered a job at Muskegon Skill & Training Center. Dale's job was to teach students a trade-skill (Most of his students had a rough upbringing). Side projects at the Training Center included restoration of metal light fixtures and fences at the Hackley House estate.

Dale’s favorite time of the year -- DEER SEASON -- Come November was White Tails cabin time with Mitchell A., Mitchell W., Pastor Red Faber and one year with his father Richard Streur. Sunday’s after church was like Grand Central Station as many gathered for ‘coffee time’ at Dale’s cabin. Dale was a lifetime member of Holland Fish & Game Club.

For over fifty years Dale/Marilyn were charter members of Grace Reformed Church (in Holland), and eventually became members at Community Reformed Church in Zeeland.

Dale will be deeply missed by his loving family as well as many friends whose lives he has touched through his life’s journey. Dale is survived by his wife Marilyn, son Mitchell A. (Jennifer), son Dana (Dino) and daughter Susan.

Grandchildren: MItchell W. Streur, Ashley Streur, Naomi VanderWeg, Whitley Jimmerson, Jordan Madrigal, Elijah Streur and 8 great-grandchildren. Sisters: Nina Mannes, Lindi (Robert) Milner, Merry DeBoer and brother William Streur. Brother-in-law Carl VanderVeen, brother-in-law Wayne Luurtsema, sister-in-law Mary Luurtsema. Dale was preceded in death by his parents, sister Shirley, and several brother-in-laws, nephews and a niece.

I didn’t have to cross the River Jordan alone.

Funeral and Military services will be 11 am Saturday (June 1) at Community Reformed Church, 10376 Felch Street, with the Rev’s Trent Walker and Greg Ten Brink officiating. Burial will be in Borculo Cemetery. Visitation will be 9:30-10:45 am Saturday, at the church, prior to the service. The service will be live streamed at the following link: Funeral (boxcast.tv)

Following the service, you will be able to watch the service at the following link: https://vimeo.com/commrefzeeland

Memorial contributions may be made to GENEVA Camp and Retreat Center.

Arrangements are by the Dykstra Funeral Home-Northwood Chapel.