Anna Sietsema

Anna May (Benson) Sietsema, born September 4, 1935, went into the arms of her

Lord on January 11, 2025, at home in Cascade Township with family members by

her side. She was born to Fred and Mary (Kooiman) Benson in Grand Rapids and attended

Beckwith Elementary, Creston High School where she was the lead drum majorette, and then

attended nursing school at Butterworth Hospital. She married her husband Jerry

Sietsema on Dec. 30, 1955.

Anna was preceded in death by her mother and father, her husband of 49 years

Jerry Sietsema Jr., her son Skip (Jerry III) Sietsema, her sister and brother-in-law

Mary and Jack Conklin, brother-in-law Russ Sietsema, and great granddaughter

Maggie Sietsema.

Anna is survived by her daughter Sherry and her husband Dr. Joseph Hunstad,

daughter Amy and husband Brian Geers, her son David Sietsema and son Christopher

Sietsema, and daughter-in-law Diane (Slotsma) Sietsema. She also leaves behind

twelve grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren; her brothers and sisters-in-

law John and Judy Benson and Bill and Barb Benson, her sister and brother-in-law

Carol and Dave Penninga, and sister-in-law Phyllis (Greenland) Sietsema; and many

nieces and nephews.

Anna was involved in several groups throughout her lifetime. She taught Sunday

school at Knapp Reformed Church when she was young. From there she was part

of the Knapp Street group that met regularly in the greater Grand Rapids area.

She led school tours at the family farm, Sietsema Orchards, and she was involved

in 4-H for many years. Anna did not travel as much as her husband but instead

brought the world home by volunteering for over 35 years for the Passport to

Adventure Travelogue Series where she reviewed and invited presenters and

their films to Grand Rapids. Anna also loved being involved in the Cascade

Historical Society, the Calvin Academy for Lifelong Learning knitting group and

she served as a Deaconess at Mayfair CRC. Her favorite group, however, was the

neighborhood lady’s coffee club which met regularly to share stories and enjoy

company with good friends. Anna will be missed dearly here on earth, but family

and friends take comfort in knowing she is now in the everlasting presence of her

Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice in Grand Rapids.

https://faithhospicecare.org/donate/

A memorial service is tentatively planned for May, so out-of-town family can attend.