Epke Vander Berg

Epke Vander Berg, age 84, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on February 27, 2026. He was born on February 19, 1942, to parents Alfred and Wilma Vander Berg, at home in Harkema, Opeinde, Friesland, the Netherlands. The family immigrated to Grand Rapids, MI in 1949 after WWII. His name was changed to Edward.

He met Jenniete (Nita) Van Dellen on a Christmas trip to Alberta, Canada, while students at Calvin College. They were married two years later on December 19, 1963, in Grand Rapids, MI. Epke graduated from Calvin College in 1964, attended Michigan State and worked as a school social worker. In 1969, he felt called to ministry and graduated from Calvin Seminary in 1973.

Epke and Nita adopted Steffen in 1972, bringing them great joy. As a family they were called to the mission field in the Philipines and Jordan by the Christian Reformed World Missions. They were members of the charter group that organized Church of the Servant (COS), which was one of the supporting churches of their ministry.

When the family returned from overseas, Epke remained active in various Grand Rapids ministries including: Refugee Task Force (40 years) at COS, Mission India, and Refugee Resettlement. He also taught world religion at Davenport University. Epke jokingly said, "I took a two week assignment that lasted for 13 years at Heather Hills Retirement Home," where he worked until his death.

Epke leaves behind his loving family: wife Nita, son Steffen (Ann), grandchildren Benjamin, Zachary, Abigail, Shanice, and MacKenzie, and four great-grandchildren; Siblings: Donna, Bernie, and Brenda and their families; Brother-in-law Idzerd (Ed) Van Dellen, and extended family in Alberta, Canada; Double cousin Idzerd (Ed) Bouwsema, in Roseburg, Oregon.

Epke will be missed by special friends - the group that met every morning for coffee at Forest Hills Foods and friends at Heather Hills.

Epke will be honored and remembered by his family in a private celebration of life.