Lois Jean Walburg, aged 91, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.

Lois was born in Grand Rapids on November 22, 1931, the oldest child of Louis and Johanna Goudzwaard. Baptized at Burton Heights Christian Reformed Church, Lois grew up on the southeast side of Grand Rapids and graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High in 1949. She was united in marriage to Jack Walburg on May 15, 1951, beginning a life devoted to her faith and her family. She raised five children, supported Jack's business (Walburg Brothers Builders),  decorated and made homes of five houses built by Jack, and worshiped and served at East Paris Christian Reformed Church, Dutton United Reformed Church, and Calvary Christian Reformed Church. In addition, she volunteered many hours for Bible Study Fellowship, Crossroads prison ministry, Wycliffe Bible translators, Wedgwood Christian Services, and SOWER ministry (Servants on Wheels Ever Ready, an RV volunteer group). Always planning her next trip, she traveled to volunteer, visit family, and revel in God's creation while hiking and camping. She also enjoyed playing games, gardening, reading, cooking, sharing jokes, and treating her family to her famous pies. Like Martha, for many years she was a busy and practical woman, a sometimes feisty and anxious worrier. But she grew to be a Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, displaying his loving Spirit in her smile, and rallying, even in her dementia, to enjoy, care for, and pray for her family,  staff, and fellow residents at the Cook Center. 

Lois is survived by her five children: Deb (Rev. Tom) Niehof, LuAnn Kruis, Beth Walburg, Tim (Marcelle) Walburg, and Lori (Jeff) Vanden Bosch. She prayed faithfully for her fourteen grandchildren and her many great grandchildren. Also surviving are her brother-in-law, Norm Johnson, and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Jack Walburg, and her younger sister, Marcia. 

May her memory be blessed and her legacy of faith, prayer, and loving service live on for a thousand generations (Exodus 20:6). 

The family will greet visitors on Friday, September 22, from 9:30 - 10 am at Stroo Funeral Home (1095 68th St. SE) where the funeral service will begin at 10 am. Dr. Thomas J. Niehof will officiate. Interment will be in Blain Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Holland Home, for their loving and dedicated care to Lois and other memory-impaired loved ones, especially during the extraordinarily trying days of the Covid-19 shutdowns.