Rodger Steven Rietkerk, 63, passed away at his home in Plainwell on April 14, 2017. He was born Feb. 10, 1954, the son of Bill and Maymie (Marlatt) Rietkerk.
A graduate of Plainwell High School, he is survived by his mother Maymie Rietkerk; his first wife Darline Rietkerk and their children, Sarah Austin and Clayton Rietkerk.
He is also survived by his wife Kay Watson; his sister Rozann/Danny Osborn; brother Douglas/Pamela Rietkerk of Minnesota; his and Kay's children, Tamara/Kevin Dressler, Rebecca/Erik Colwell, Mary Kay Burley, Gordon Paul Burley, Chad/Kat Crow, and Stephanie Crow; grandchildren, Morgan Dailey, Kaitlyn Watson, Tate and Nevaeh Dressler, James, Michael, Genevieve and Isabella Colwell, April, Shelby, John Burley, Carl, David Burley, and Juniper Crow; his nieces and nephews, Joyce/David Amato, Steven Osborn, Greg/Patty Callum Osborn, Ceili Robinson, Anneke/Mark Riess, Liesl Rietkerk, Nathan, Ashley, and Ashton Yablonsky; along with his many adopted children.
Rodger loved his family and friends, fishing, hunting, bowling and helping anyone he could, including mentoring and coaching Plainwell High School's bowling league. He was a man of many trades in life, a bus driver for Plainwell schools, mechanic for Plainwell Lanes, and a driver for Dave's towing to name a few. He was a loving father and a loyal friend to all who knew him.
Rodger will be greatly missed and eternally loved by all.
The family will have a memorial service and small luncheon on Saturday, April 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Old Plank Road Restaurant, 137 N. Main St., in downtown Plainwell. All who would like to join in remembering him with his family will be welcome, along with any pictures and stories you would like to share.
Due to the suddenness of this death, donations will also be accepted to help defray burial cost.
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