- Date Of Birth: March 30, 1933
- Date Of Death: December 6, 2020
- State: Michigan
Hollis peacefully passed away from this life into eternity with Jesus on December 6, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wives Annette (1999) and Donna (2016), son Richard (2017), and grandson Andrew (2020); parents John and Tina, and his brothers Marvin and Roger.
Hollis is the third son of Johannas (John) Vlietstra and Teatske (Tina) Dykstra-Vlietstra. He was a member of the Westwood Christian Reformed Church throughout his adult life. Hollis attended the Kalamazoo Christian Schools. He partnered with his father and brothers to form John Vlietstra and Sons Plastering Company that later became Vlietstra Brother’s Swim Pool Company.
Hollis is remembered for his easy-going manner and engaging smile. His capacity to love people was unequalled and he acted on that sincere care for others in numerous tangible ways. In his retirement years, he was a volunteer at the Shepard Center, Appalachian Reach-out, the Westwood church’s cleaning crew, and was an active participant in the Gulu Uganda Country Dairy Farm in East Africa. He was a member of the Singing Crusaders and served on the Board of the Kalamazoo Home Builders Association. Hollis enjoyed hunting and fishing with family and friends at his UP cabin, and the tennis club and golf league with his church buddies.
The delight of Hollis’ life was his family. He is survived by his wife Gwendolyn (Michel-Vlietstra), sons and daughters-in-law (Robert & Elizabeth Vlietstra, and William & Marcia Vlietstra), grandchildren (Mark & Erin Vlietstra, Scott & Jennifer Vlietstra, Holly and Jeff Diebel; Betsy & Scott Nuismer, Anango Suzan & Kidega Tonny; Jeff & Kasey Vlietstra, Amanda & Dustin Prescott, and their children); Step-children (Nancy & Mark McDade, Gary & Kaylynn Terpstra, Jay Terpstra, and Brian Terpstra, and their families); and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He will be missed greatly. He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather (“Opa”), and great grandfather – and, an equally dedicated friend to all!
Hollis leaves us with a wonderful heritage of which to be proud and a terrific legacy to emulate.
