Gerald Henry Holwerda, age 82 of Grand Rapids, MI, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday May 21, 2020.

Jerry was born to Sidney and Agnes (Huizinga) Holwerda on October 24, 1937 in Grand Rapids, MI. He had two sisters and three brothers. He graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School and attended Calvin College.
Jerry married Nancy Joan Tiesma on October 17, 1958 and they had three children. He proudly served in the Michigan National Guard, became a pipefitter and had lifetime career in the family business, Holwerda-Huizinga Co., acting as President from 1982 until his retirement. Throughout his career in the mechanical contracting industry, he served as both Board Member and Chairman for the West Michigan Mechanical Contractors Association, Board Member for MCA of America and also as a Member of the State of Michigan Mechanical Board. His dedication and volunteerism to improve the Mechanical & Plumbing Industries never ceased.

Jerry was a dedicated family man, with an overwhelming joy to serve the Lord at Shawnee Park Christian Reformed Church where he was a founding member and had roles with the Council and various committees during his membership there. He also had a passion for fly-tying, fly-fishing and golf where he could enjoy God's nature. In his retirement, he spent many hours gathering information and tracing his family genealogy back to the Netherlands as well as documenting the current generation and sharing his information with extended family.
He was well known and loved by many for his charismatic personality, his one liners and his generosity to those in need.

Jerry is survived by his wife Nancy, children, Pam Holwerda, Gerald Holwerda II, Lisa (Roger) Dekker, sister Elaine Helmus, brother Tom (Carole) Holwerda, and sister in law Liz Holwerda. His brother in law and sister in law Robert and Joyce Tiesma, many nieces and nephews and extended family, Mary Holwerda and Wynn (Laurie) Cull. Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, Sidney and Agnes Holwerda, sister Jane Holwerda, brother Jack (Myrtle) Holwerda, brother Sidney J. Holwerda and brother in law Sid Helmus.

Jerry was blessed with ten grandchildren whom he dearly loved and supported, Stacey (Peter) Bergsma, Kayleigh Cull, Rose Cull (Casey Hockenberry), Amberle Dekker, Brianne Dekker, Erica (Tom) Fencil, Corbin Holwerda, Cassandra Holwerda, Nicolas Holwerda, and Jacob Holwerda. Jerry was also blessed with knowing & nurturing his six great grandchildren, Benjamin, Charlotte, Sophia, Madelyn and Harrison Bergsma and Drayce Hockenberry. Their Toy Poodle Tubby who is scruffy like we all are right now.

For those who wish, please consider a memorial gift to the Humane Society of West Michigan, 3077 Wilson Drive, NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49534.