David Lake

Loving husband, father, and friend David Leo Lake, 87, of Holland, MI passed away on December 6, 2024 after suffering a heart attack. He died peacefully at home with his loved ones surrounding him and his favorite Johnny Mathis songs playing in the background.

David was born in Grand Haven, MI on August 16, 1937 to Carl Leo and Catherine Lake. He played football and baseball at Grand Haven High School. When he graduated, he attended Valparaiso University on an academic scholarship where he earned a Bachelors Degree in Business and met his future wife Carole Radloff.

David and Carole wed on June 18, 1960 at St. Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church in Whiting, IN. The couple moved to Indianapolis where Dave worked for Aetna Life & Casualty and earned his insurance certification.

Fred and Barb were born in Indianapolis, and then the agency transferred Dave to St. Louis where Sandra was born.

The family moved to Holland, MI where Dave joined the Arnold Hertel Insurance Agency. Dave became a partner and Board Chairman when the agency became the Holland Insurance Agency and later grew to be the Grand Rapids-Holland Insurance Agency.

David was very active and well-loved in the community, holding the positions of Chamber of Commerce Chairperson, Holland Lion’s Club Board Member and President, Chair Member of the Riverfront Project Committee, and Youth for Christ Board Chairperson.

Other organizations that David worked with include the Prison Visitation Ministry, the Holland Jaycees, Zion Lutheran Church, Score, Holland City Election Polls, and he was in charge of the American Cancer Society golf outing fundraiser. He also went on mission trips to Gulf Port Mississippi and Ecuador.

Dave enjoyed reading, especially historical fiction and spy novels, as well as doing things with the family such as boating, water skiing, biking, snow skiing, hiking, and tennis. He also took the family on many trips to places such as the Deer Valley Dude Ranch, Disney World, Northern Michigan, and their condo in Florida.

He was preceded in death by his sisters, Vicki Bowes and Cathy Meyer.

Dave is survived by his loving wife Carole; children, Frederick (Amy) Lake, Barbara (Michael) Werley, Sandra Lake; grandchildren, Austin Werley, Tom Lake, Murphy Werley, Sam Lake, Caroline Lake; brothers, Carl Lake, Thomas Lake; sister, Jan Barber, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will take place on Thursday, December 12 at 12:00pm at Dykstra Funeral Home - Mulder Chapel. A visitation will take place prior to the service from 10am to 12:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Gateway Missions, or Samaritan's Purse.

For those who are unable to attend the service in person, a live-stream will be available HERE