Shirley A. Ritsema

Shirley Ann Ritsema age 76 of Gowen, passed away Friday April 16, 2021 at her home under the care of Spectrum Hospice. She was born June 26, 1944 in Rockford, the daughter of Harlan R. & Arlene F. (Wirts) Cavanaugh. She was a member of St. Charles Catholic Church. Grandma Shirley loved the company of her grandchildren. She loved to mail jokes cut from magazines, worked on crossword puzzles and a real wiz with picture puzzles on the computer. Shirley is survived by her husband Dale; children Heidi (Scott) Beard of Ada and David (Candie) Ritsema of Greenville; grandchildren Mitchell (Rebecca) Gregory of Grand Rapids, Clayton Beard of Ada and Lauren Ritsema of Greenville; in laws Ron Hutchens of Sparta, Sandra Cavanaugh of Florida, Bonnie (Richard) Bode of Grand Rapids, Sharon (Jack) Toering of Grand Rapids, Kathy (Tim) Nesbit of Caledonia, Darlene (Jim) Smith of Allegan and Dennis (Kathie) Ritsema of Cuttlerville and also by her nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters Bonnie Hutchens and Jean Cavanaugh and her brother Gerald Cavanaugh. Visitation will be 5 to 8 PM Wednesday, April 21, 2021 at St. Charles Catholic Church, with a Rosary at 8 PM. Funeral Mass and Committal will be 11 AM Thursday, April 22, 2021 at St. Charles Catholic Church, celebrated by Fr. Jim Wyse. Visitation will also be from 10 AM till the Mass on Thursday at the church. Burial will be in Chapel Hill in Grand Rapids. Memorial contributions can be made in Shirley’s name to St. Charles Catholic School.