Junior's Battle with Cancer Ends
Friends of Calvin College junior Amanda Kaye Folkema gathered on December 16 in the college's Chapel to not only mourn her death, but also to celebrate her life, her witness to God's goodness and grace, and her eternal glory.
Just three days before the end of the fall semester Folkema's battle with cancer came to an end. And her friends remembered the education major's spirit in spite of her circumstances, her perseverance and her good nature.
Calvin chaplain Dale Cooper began the service by noting that "amid our loss it's important to hear God speaking to us." And he read a passage from Psalm 27 in the Old Testament.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation," Cooper read. "Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?"
Amanda Folkema, said Cooper, lived the words of that Psalm, even in the midst of a virulent cancer, which, despite numerous rounds of chemotherapy and Amanda's frequent stays in the hospital, could not be stopped. Amanda Folkema knew God's promise, God's goodness and God's grace. Amanda Folkema, said Cooper, went to live with God in heaven.
"But our hearts," he added, "are heavy and our grief intense. So we gather here with one another as an expression of Christian solidarity. And God has lovingly wrapped his arms around us."
Folkema was the granddaughter of Calvin professor Marvin Zuidema who noted in an e-mail to a colleague that despite her circumstances Amanda bore her burden without complaint.
"Never, never, does Amanda complain," said Zuidema. "She simply states: 'My Lord is in charge.' God's power is so evident in her life."
Folkema was born June 25, 1983 in Fremont, Michigan, to Kent and Vonnie (Zuidema) Folkema. She was a graduate of Fremont Christian School and Western Michigan Christian High School. She was a member of Trinity Christian Reformed Church in Fremont.
Survivors include her parents, Kent and Vonnie Folkema of Fremont; grandparents, Roy and Gloria Folkema of Fremont, Marvin and Virginia Zuidema of Grand Rapids; great-grandmothers, Gladys DeKuiper of Fremont, Minnie Zuidema of Muskegon; one brother and two sisters, Kyle, Kara and Amber Folkema all of Fremont; her faithful and loving boyfriend, Dan Huffman; aunts and uncles, Roger (Tamara) Zuidema, Kevin (Maria) Zuidema, Lora (Larry) Elenbaas, Ron (Nancy) Folkema, Krista (Phil) Smalligan, Mike (Mary) Folkema, Paul (Ronda) Folkema; many cousins and other special friends.
Funeral Services will be 11 am on Saturday, December 20, 2003 at First Christian Reformed Church in Fremont (721 Hillcrest Dr.) with Pastor Bob Pohler officiating. Interment will be in Maple Grove Cemetery. Visitation will also be at First Christian Reformed Church in Fremont from 4 to 8 pm on Thursday and Friday. Suggested Memorials to The Memorial Funds of Trinity Christian Reformed Church, Western Michigan Christian High School or Calvin College.