Grace Sportell

SPORTELL, Grace
Kalamazoo Went home to be with her Lord on Friday, May 14, 2010. She was born July 24, 1917 in Kalamazoo, a daughter of John and Henrietta DeWinter Zuidema and was a lifelong resident of the Kalamazoo area. Grace was a member of the Second Christian Reformed Church , where she taught Sunday School for 25 years, was a member of Tie That Binds and was a 4-H leader. On May 21, 1940, she married Martin Sportell, who passed away on February 16, 1960. Following his passing, Grace worked as a seamstress for J.C. Penny, Sears & Roebuck Co. and for over 20 years, Ihling Brothers Everard. Grace is survived by her daughters, Janet Larry Thomas and Barbara Victor Lupina all of Portage; her daughter-in-law, Pat Sportell of Portage; her grandchildren, Tammie Ryan Hamilton, Amy Tim Simmons, Steve Julie Pasma, Kristen Mark Roberts and Jill Scott Hengst; great grandchildren, Drew, Brianna and Jack; a sister-in-law, Betty Zuidema; several nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by her parents; her son, Raymond Sportell; two brothers, William Clara Zuidema and John Zuidema; a sister, Henrietta Triemstra; and a brother-in-law and his wife, Tom Marva Triemstra. Following a family committal service at Mt. Ever-Rest Cemetery, a memorial service will be held on Tuesday at 11:00 AM in the Second Christian Reformed Church, 3015 Nichols Rd. with Rev. Dr. Warren E. Lammers officiating. The family will receive friends at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. on Monday from 5-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Second Christian Reformed Church Sunday School, Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan or the charity of one's choice. Please visit www.langelands.com for online obituary, directions, register book and condolences. 343-1508