Visitation: Wednesday - May 27, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Thursday - May 28, from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM all at Cutlerville East CRC
Service: 11:00 AM, Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Cutlerville East Christian Reformed Church, 501 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548
Cemetery: Blain Cemetery
Memorials: Talking Bibles, www.talikingbible.org

The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed by following this link, https://www.cutlervilleeast.org/watch-live

Fred Hekstra, age 93, of Byron Center, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Saturday, May 23, 2026. Fred (Feye) was born in The Netherlands to Ebele and Jelske Hekstra and immigrated to the United States at the age of 18. Shortly after immigration he was called to serve in the Korean War where a fellow dutchman in his company suggested he write his sister. Many letters were mailed back and forth and love blossomed. When returning to the States he married the love of his life, Frances Slendebroek. The two of them worked hard together, growing a successful building business and built many homes in the Grand Rapids area.  He also enjoyed importing and selling Friesian Horses as a hobby/business.  He was active in the Friesian Horse Association of North America and was a past president.  Because of Fred's involvement with the horses, he was inducted into the FHANA Hall of Fame in Lexington, KY.  Fred was also an active member of Cutlerville East CRC where he served as an elder and deacon and participated in many Bible studies. He loved the Lord his God with his whole being and he professed this throughout his life. Everything that motivated him, be it his many paintings, his carvings, his woodshop, or the love he showered on his family was done intentionally for the glory of God. He wanted everyone who crossed his path to know who Jesus was.  Fred was preceded in death by his infant son who died at birth; brother, Romke Hekstra (The Netherlands); sister, Annie Kouwenhoven (The Netherlands); and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law here in the States. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 70 1/2 years, Frances; sons, Edward (Melanie) Hekstra, Michael (Susan) Hekstra, Roger (Mary) Hekstra, Dave (Deb) Hekstra; grandchildren, Amanda (Ed) Ophoff, Amy (Tim) VanTil, Jared (Stacy) Hekstra, Laura (Tyler) Langerak, Kristen (Jeff) Sherwood, Kelly (Josh) Rozema, Scott (Sarah) Hekstra, Kaitlyn (Henry) Higby, Katherine (Arunabh) Verma, Mitchell (fiancée Maria) Hekstra, David (Julia) Hekstra, Elizabeth (Keith) Cashmus, Kaley (Adam) Heerema, Seth (Katelyn) Hekstra; 45 great-grandchildren; brother, Henk Hekstra (The Netherlands);  brother-in-law, Jan Kouwenhoven (The Netherlands); brother-in-law and sisters-in-law, Rika Slendebroek, Elsie Pott, Tom Slendebroek, Marianne (Don) Morell; his special American family/cousins, Dick Zylstra, Gerrit Zylstra, Uko (Jane) Zylstra, Grace Albers; beloved nieces and nephews both here and in The Netherlands; and many cherished friends here and abroad.  The family will greet visitors on Wednesday, May 27, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM and 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM and Thursday, May 28, from 10:00 AM to 10:45 AM at Cutlerville East Christian Reformed Church, 501 68th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI.  Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Cutlerville East CRC with Rev. Sacha Walicord officiating.  Interment will be in Blain Cemetery.