Jessica Oppewal (Leestma)

02/17/1924

11/21/2018

Jessica Oppewal (Leestma), age 94 of Lowell, passed peacefully in the arms of family on Wednesday, November 21, 2018. She was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Donald on May 19, 2018, who affectionately called her Jetske; sons-in-law Joel Beversluis, Tom Boersma; daughter-in-law Peggy Ronzo; and her brother John Leestma. Jessica will be dearly missed by her six children, Gwen Beversluis, Jo Boersma, Dan and Mary Oppewal, Jim Oppewal, Donna Oppewal, Paul and Tammy Oppewal; and by her 15 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, and 3 great-great-grandchildren, who knew her as “Beppe”; and by her sister Ann Piersma; and brother Herm Leestma. She was born to David and Gertrude Leestma on February 17, 1924 in the Netherlands and immigrated to the United States in 1925. Graduating from Grand Rapids Christian High School in 1942, Jessica then graduated from Blodgett Memorial School of Nursing in 1945. She raised six children, and continued her nursing career for 25 years at Grand Rapids Metropolitan Hospital on Boston, as well as several years at the Calvin College Health Center. While she was prolific at knitting and crocheting, she also enjoyed vegetable gardening, cooking and baking. Jessica specialized in soups, her famous Beppe cake with coconut topping, Christmas baking, and sharing of Banket. Thank you to Faith Hospice for walking with us, as we accompanied both our mom and dad on their journeys to their home in heaven. A Memorial Open House is planned for Saturday, January 5, 2019, from 2-4pm at Ada Christian Reformed Church, 7152 Bradfield SE, Ada, Michigan.

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