Vander Ark, Saramae (Witt)

On August 16, 2025, at 5:30 pm, Jesus came to take Saramae home. She was born on July 31, 1930, in Leighton, Iowa, and passed away at her home in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Saramae graduated from Calvin College in 1951, and became an elementary teacher. She was the devoted wife of Gordon Vander Ark for 72 years and the loving mother of five children. She is survived by her husband, Gordon; children, Kris (Ed) Timmer, Steve, Dr. David (Theresa), Jill (David) Martin, and Heidi (Rev. Jeff) Wenke; daughter-of-the-heart, Arlene De Kraker, 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; her sister, Jeanne Ausema; her sisters-in-law, Shirley Witt, and Norma Lubbers; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.  Saramae had an amazing musical talent that she used for God’s glory by playing the organ for 73 years and teaching piano lessons for 67 years. Saramae led women’s Bible studies for over 20 years in many churches. She also participated in the Crossroads Prison Ministries correspondence Bible study program for prisoners.  Her children remember how she read books aloud to the family, including Winnie the Pooh and The Adventures of the Sugar Creek Gang. The family enjoyed traveling together, going camping in their pop-up trailer, and singing together. Saramae and Gord were part of a neighborhood volleyball group and took many bike trips in the U.S. and abroad.  Visitation and a Celebration of Life will be held at Covenant Christian Reformed Church (7171 Willard Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI), of which she was a charter member. Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Wednesday, August 20, and the Celebration of Life will take place at 11:00 am on Thursday, August 21, with visitation beginning at 9:30 am. Interment will be at Blain Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Covenant CRC Mission Fund.