Margaret Ann Folkersma

1938 - 2017

Margaret Ann (Olthof) Folkersma, age 78, of Rudyard, Michigan, died on May 24, 2017, at her home. She was born July 17, 1938, in Grand Haven, Michigan, to William and Cornelia (Moelker) Olthof.
Margaret grew up in Ferrysburg, Michigan, and graduated from Muskegon West Michigan Christian High School. She married David James Folkersma of Rudyard, on April 18, 1958, in Spring Lake, Michigan. She and David made their home in Rudyard in a house David had built for them on the Folkersma family dairy farm. Margaret was a very active person who worked wherever needed on the farm in addition to keeping up their home. She raised seven children and welcomed many other children and grandchildren into her home over the years.
Margaret was a member of the Christian Reformed Church where she taught Sunday school from the time she was a young mother until just a few weeks ago. She organized many of the everyday church activities helping make many things run smoothly. She baked or cooked food for nearly every event, sang in the choir, and participated in the Women's Guild. Margaret was also a member of the Rudyard Historical Society where she enjoyed their activities and helping where needed.
Above all else, Margaret loved having children around her. She also enjoyed animals; gardening, both vegetables and flowers; baking for family, neighbors, church functions, and bake sales; and attending activities in which her grandchildren participated. She loved sewing and countless people were recipients of baby items she made including receiving blankets, baby quilts, sheets, and sleepers. She made pajamas for all of her grandchildren and many other children. Margaret was a wonderful hostess who welcomed many people into her home.
Margaret is survived by her daughters, Joan (Rodney) Berkompas of Rudyard, and Nancy (Connie) Chisenhall of Newport, North Carolina; sons, James William (Joyce) Folkersma of Lowell, Michigan, Robert (Tammy) Folkersma, Edward (Darlene) Folkersma, David C. (Ann) Folkersma, and Theodore (JoAnne) Folkersma, all of Rudyard; grandchildren, Nathan (Tashina) Moses, Stephanie (Blake) Hall, Tealah (Travis) Siegwart, Leigh-Ann (Rich) Bumstead, Rhea-Ann Moses, Lisa (Rob) Isrow, Ryan (Lauren) Berkompas, Gary (Amanda) Berkompas, Albert ""A.J."" Folkersma, Rachael Folkersma, Christina Folkersma, Chad (Denise) Folkersma, Charlotte Folkersma, Jon Folkersma, Kaitlyn Folkersma, Connor Chisenhall, Samantha Chisenhall, Benjamin Folkersma, Katrina Folkersma, Andrew Folkersma and Matthew Folkersma; and great-grandchildren, Noah, MacKenzie, Mayson, Felicity, Zachary, Liam, River, Skye, Hunter, Natalie, Rayne, Angelyn, Peyton, Steven, James, Emily, Marley, Anthony, Cora, Isabella, Savannah, Eli, and Emma.
Margaret was preceded in death by her parents; husband, David; and one great-granddaughter, Alexis Siegwart.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 27, from 12-2 p.m. at Christian Reformed Church in Rudyard with the funeral service at 2 p.m. Burial will be at North Rudyard Township Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to Rudyard Christian School, 10702 W. 17 Mile Rd., Rudyard, MI 49780 or Hospice of the E.U.P., 306 W. 12th Ave., Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.