On Tuesday, June 2, 2026, Joan Ellen Guikema died peacefully surrounded by family at Breton Living Center. She was cared for by Breton Living Center’s loving staff as well as the compassionate and dedicated Faith Hospice team.

Joan Ellen Korschot was born January 24, 1941 to John and Henrietta Korschot in Lafayette, Indiana. Joan moved to Grand Rapids to attend Calvin College and met the love of her life, Dale John Guikema. They married in 1961 and became proud parents of three daughters, Susan, Beth, and Nancy.

One of our favorite memories is coming home from school because Mom always stopped what she was doing to sit with us at the kitchen table, listening to stories about our day while we enjoyed a snack. Mom was a stay-at-home mother who could be counted on to drive her trusty station wagon – usually a little too fast - whenever we needed a ride.

Joan and Dale loved camping and hiking. Most of our family vacations took place in a myriad of National Parks. Later, beloved grandchildren joined our National Park adventures, creating memories that would last a lifetime. Joan also spent many years of retirement happily wintering in their Naples, Florida mobile home with her fourth, and favorite, Springer Spaniel, Maggie.

Our stay-at-home mom didn’t stay home that much. Joan had a heart for helping others. She volunteered for many years at the Logan Center in South Bend, Indiana, which cared for adults with developmental disabilities. While living in Grand Rapids, she volunteered at Pine Rest, working with adults with developmental disabilities. Children and adults were drawn to her warmth and grace communicated by her twinkling eyes and shining smile.

Joan became the first female deacon at our church, South Bend Christian Reformed Church, and was instrumental in the church’s sponsorship of a Vietnamese boat family; Joan and Dale opened our home to them, where they lived for several months. Even after the Dang family moved to an apartment, Joan helped them with resumes, brought them to job interviews, and eventually took them for driver’s tests. She became their honored mother and Grandmother. Joan never wanted to talk about her leadership or volunteer work. She wanted to serve and love people quietly.

Joan deeply loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She often took care of the grandkids at Joan and Dale’s home on the Thornapple River in Middleville, Michigan. Grandkids built forts in the woods, paddled the canoe, and enjoyed pontoon cruises on the river. Grandma was loving, but she was also fun and feisty. 

We give thanks for Joan, wonderful wife of 64 years, loving and playful mother and grandmother, and beloved daughter of God.

Joan is survived by her loving husband, Dale Guikema; her daughters, Susan (Douglas), Beth (Lucas), and Nancy (Paul); nine treasured  grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren; her sister Betty (Jim), her brother-in-law Willard (Jan), and sister-in-law Gayle (Ken); as well as many nieces and nephews.

A private Celebration of Life will be held this summer.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Faith Hospice, whose staff compassionately cared for Joan and supported our family throughout the past two and a half years.