Marcia Jansma

Marcia Lee Jansma, of Waupun, WI, passed away peacefully on June 1, 2025 at the Christian Home in Waupun at the age of 83. Her family rejoices that she is now with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born to Simon D. and Martha L. (Hoogerhyde) Hovinga in Grand Rapids, Michigan on May 24, 1942. From the time Marcia was young, she was serving others with her kind and positive spirit. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends, especially her sister Jane and her cousin Joyce. She graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School. She loved to bowl and roller skate, and even met her beloved Garret at a roller skating rink; so it wasn’t a surprise that all of her children learned to rollerskate.

Marcia married Garret at Twelfth Street Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids on March 29, 1963. They had celebrated 61 years together before Garret passed away in March of 2024. They moved to Waupun, Wisconsin “for their honeymoon” she used to say. While in Waupun, Marcia worked at the Handcrafters, at Grant Law Offices, and later, at Beltone Hearing Aid Center in Beaver Dam. She enjoyed helping ladies look their best, and so the job of “Avon lady” didn’t seem like a job at all! She was never without a few sample lipsticks in her purse. But most of all, Marcia was, in her words, a homemaker. She could be found cutting coupons, trying recipes, sewing and mending clothing, making meals for six children, gardening, and then involving all the children in the ensuing canning and freezing processes.

All of Marcia’s adult life she lived and wanted to spread the love of Jesus. She enjoyed going to church, attending Bible studies and prayer groups with local ladies. Her faith was important to her and sustained her through many trials. After their son died, Marcia joined the Compassionate Friends group for parents who have lost children. She drew encouragement from those who had gone through what she did, later hosting events and helping others. She was quick to help and find the positives in any negative situation, always living out Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge him, And He shall direct your paths.”

Marcia always had a heart for ministering to the less fortunate, so on a few of their trips south, they served as volunteers for Wycliffe ministries, helping minister to the physical hygiene needs of the poor. Marcia also worked as a Home Health Care assistant, helping people with their daily needs. Marcia was involved in Crossroads Bible Institute Prison Correspondence Ministry; she (and Garret) reviewed and commented on inmate Bible study lessons, encouraging inmates through written correspondence to seek God while incarcerated.

Marcia enjoyed many trips, short or long: traveling to see grandchildren’s sports events, visiting friends or journeying around the lake to visit relatives in Michigan. Other times they escaped the cold Wisconsin winter by going to Florida, Arizona, or Texas with local friends. She loved traveling to gospel concerts, attending the Randolph Corn Carnival & playing cards with special friends Jan and Duane Crandall. Many a day was spent touring Amish country and chatting with adults and children alike at the Amish store.

In later years when they didn’t travel as much, both Marcia and Garret worked puzzles ceaselessly together in their dining room, listening to music. Other nights they could be found reading side by side in their den, filled with books. She was adored by her children, grandchildren and many great-grandchildren.

Marcia’s Christian faith was unwavering throughout her life and very evident to the end. After finding out she had cancer, she felt God was still calling her to visit others at the Christian Home and encourage those who felt lonely. Many will remember her smiles and kind spirit as they saw her walking the halls to visit friends and her sisters-in-law.

Marcia is survived by her children: Anita (Dan) Holdridge of Pickett, Karen Diederich of Fond du Lac, Kurt (Kim) Jansma of Sioux Center, IA, Julia (Alan) Walton of Beaver Dam, and Joyce (Rob) Abel of Oshkosh; grandchildren: Nick (Terra) Holdridge, Alex (Casandra) Holdridge, Jon (Ashlyn) Holdridge, Erin (Matt) Johnson, Allison Diederich, Caleb Diederich, Justin (Courtney) Jansma, Elissa (Devin) De Jong, Jesse (Emma) Jansma, Levi Jansma, Colten (Kayla) Van Hierden, Damon (Melissa) Van Hierden, Ashley (Alex) Heinen, Brienna (Ryan) Van Maanen, Shayla (Marcus) Graf and dear family friend, Jason Krajenka; step-grandchildren: Emily (Charlie) Harmer, Owen (Nicole) Walton, and Hannah Walton; 23 great-grandchildren; sister Jane (Hovinga) Maurer of Allendale, MI; brothers-in-law: Norm (Shirley) Jansma, and Wilbert (Carol) Jansma; sister-in-law: Catherine Jansma. She will also be missed by her dear friends Jan and Duane Crandall.

Marcia was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Garret; a son, Joel; her brother & sister-in-law, David & Shirley Hovinga; and brothers-in-law, Terrence Maurer, Charley Jansma, & Louis Jansma; as well as her beloved sister-in-law, Gladys Jansma.

Marcia’s family would like to thank the Waupun Christian Home nurses and staff, as well as SSM Hospice nurses for their excellent care and love for Marcia while she was on the Assisted Living side as well as in the Skilled Nursing side. So many of you came to love her as she cared and loved you. May you be blessed for your service to the aged in our community.

Funeral services for Marcia Jansma will be held Friday, June 13, 2024 at 12 noon at Werner-Harmsen Funeral Home in Waupun with Rev. Paul Freswick officiating. Burial will follow at Alto Cemetery. Friends and relatives may call on the family on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.