Peter Sterk

In today’s society, material possessions tend to be a benchmark to measure a man’s success. Too many times, the simpler qualities, such as faith, dedication to family and hard work are easily overlooked when judging a man’s character. Peter Sterk was not someone consumed by material gains in life, but by the satisfaction of putting his family, friends and faith first and doing the best job he could with whatever task was at hand.

1912 was a year of contrasts. Early in the year New Mexico and Arizona were admitted to the union, expanding the United States to 48 states. Yet, tragedy struck in the spring when the RMS Titanic struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sank with 1,500 casualties. It was into these diverse times that Peter was born on December 12, 1912, in the small town of Stickney, South Dakota. He was one of five children born to Jacob and Nellie (Volkema) Sterk.

Pete grew up in the midst of the Great Depression, which were hard times for everyone. Like other families, the Sterks struggled to make ends meet, and eventually lost their farm and crops. Because of the economic hardships, Pete only attended school through the eighth grade in order to find work and help support his family. After losing their farm, the Sterks moved to Denver, Colorado, where Pete was able to work as a laborer in various factories. But things began to look up for Pete when he met a lovely lady named Johanna (Jo) Kats. The two fell hopelessly in love and were married on June 6, 1940, in Holland, Nebraska, where Jo’s family was from.

As the newlyweds settled into married life together, Pete went to work for the United States Postal Service in Nebraska and Colorado. Over the next several years, Pete and Jo filled their home with the joy and laughter of three children: Carolyn, Vernon and Doris. Then, in 1954, the family moved from the Great Plains to Holland, Michigan. Here, Pete worked a variety of jobs, including at Chris Craft Boats and Baker Furniture. He later became a custodian at Trinity Reformed Church before taking a job in the custodial department at Hope College.

Pete was a great provider, but he always took time during the summer to take his family on vacation. One of his favorite hobbies was studying maps and atlases, and with his great sense of direction, the family rarely got lost on one of their adventures. Pete and Jo enjoyed traveling and had the opportunity to go to the poverty stricken state of Chiapas in the southernmost part of Mexico, where their son, Vern, and his wife, Carla, were serving as missionaries. Pete was such a friendly soul that everywhere he went he was sure to make new friends. He was truly a people person in the truest sense of the word. Pete and Jo greatly enjoyed eating at Russ’ East town and later Russ’ Southside, where they were sure to encounter many of their friends and regulars that Pete stopped and talked to over the years.

Although Pete’s life was happy, it was also marked by great sorrow. Pete lost his beloved wife Jo on February 7, 1993, leaving him alone after fifty-three years of marriage. Heartbroken, Pete tried to find ways to keep himself busy and fill part of that emptiness. He continued volunteering with various organizations, including Portable Recording Ministries, Camp Geneva, Western Seminary and Trinity Reformed Church. Pete was also a die-hard supporter of Hope College sports, and because of his many years as a mentor and encourager of Hope students, the college recognized him for his admirable support. This was truly one of the greatest and most memorable days in Pete’s life.

Pete had music in his heart and loved to sing with the Trinity Men’s Chorus, especially the gospel songs and hymns of faith. He could also play the organ, mainly by ear. Pete wasn’t much of a TV watcher, he felt if the Weather Channel was the only one on TV, it was fine with him. One of the things that upheld Pete throughout his life was his faith in God. He was a member of the Trinity Reformed Church, and former member and Elder at Bethel Reformed Church. His Bible was his most precious possession, right next to the list of his family and friends phone numbers, all of whom were very close to his heart.

A man of great faith, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, Peter Sterk will be dearly missed and frequently remembered.

Peter Sterk, age 94 of Holland, MI, died on Wednesday, August 22, 2007, at Resthaven Care Center. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jo. Surviving is his children: Carolyn and James Botsford of Zeeland, Vernon and Carla Sterk of Holland, Doris, and Phillip Miles of Holland; 9 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, 4 great great grandchildren; sister, Jennie Schouten of Sun City, AZ; in-laws: Crystal Sterk of Denver, CO, Lue and Ron Schermer of Zeeland, Roy and Betty Kats of Kalamazoo, Goldie and Harlan Doeschot of Firth, NE; and several nephews, nieces, and cousins. Services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, August 25, at the Trinity Reformed Church, 712 Apple Avenue in Holland, with the Rev. Don Battjes officiating. Burial will be in the Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visiting is one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Trinity Reformed Church Mission Fund or Resthaven Care Center Bethel Program. Please visit Peter’s personal memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you may share a memory with his family or sign the online guest book.