Howard Poortenga

1922 - 2014

Howard Poortenga, age 91, of Jenison, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, May 17, 2014. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruth, married 68 years; his three children, Donna and Jerry Elenbaas of Newaygo, Mary and Larry Nienhuis of Holland, Harv and Mary Poortenga of Jenison. He was the loving grandfather to six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Rozena "Rose" Van Reken; and a brother, Jim and Vonnie Poortenga; a sister-in-law, Shirley Van Noord; many nieces, nephews and special friends. Howard was born in Jamestown to Klaas and Hattie Poortenga on May 21, 1922. He served in the U.S. Air Force in Italy during World War II. Howard was a hard worker, having owned and operated a farm while working full time at Kelvinator. Howard and Ruth did a lot of traveling in their retirement all over the U.S. He loved to camp, travel, fish and was an avid fan of the Detroit Tigers. Howard enjoyed planting a very productive garden every year and gave most of it away. He was a member of the Christian Reformed Church all of his life and is a member of First Jenison CRC.

A celebration of Howard's life will be on Thursday at 11 a.m. at First Jenison Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Adam Barton and Rev. Tom Elenbaas officiating. Interment Georgetown Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at VanderLaan Funeral Home on Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. and Thursday from 10-11 a.m. at the church.

VANDERLAAN – HUDSONVILLE, MI

www.vanderlaanfuneralhome.net