Ryan F. Nikolaas, age 53, of Plainwell, Michigan, passed away peacefully on the
evening of Monday June 5th, 2023, with his big brother at his side. Ryan was born
to Johannes (Hans) Nikolaas and Epkea (Kay) Nikolaas on May 1, 1970. The middle
of three children, Ryan was born in Grand Rapids and later moved to and grew up
with his siblings in Richland, Michigan. Ryan graduated from Gull Lake High School
in 1988 and worked for the family business, Acro-Tech Mfg.
Ryan was an avid outdoorsman and loved all things nature. As a child he enjoyed
spending time with the family at Little Long Lake swimming, boating, ice skating,
snowmobiling, climbing trees and causing trouble. He loved to go hunting with his
Dad and brother and their friends. Ryan loved animals and always had dogs & cats
around him. He even shared his sister's love of horses.
Ryan enjoyed life and especially sharing time with his very dear friends. They met
every Friday night for years and he always looked forward to those fun times
playing games and telling stories. His friends meant a great deal to him.
Ryan was preceded in death by his Opa & Oma (Fred & Wieke) Ten Hoor, his sister
in law, Cindy Nikolaas and his aunt, Becky Ten Hoor.
Ryan is survived by his father Hans Nikolaas (Tineke Boelen), his mother Kay
Nikolaas, his brother, Jan (Sheila) Nikolaas, his sister, Kristina (Pierre) Goulet, his
partner Jeannie Ellison, uncles John (Becky Li) Ten Hoor and Bob Ten Hoor,
nephew, Mitchell (Courtney) Nikolaas and niece, Amanda Nikolaas.
Celebration of life services will be held at a later date for friends & family.