Walter Swets - The Lord called home his good and faithful servant, Rev. Walter Swets, of Grand Rapids, on Thursday, March 27, 2025. He was born on January 12, 1935 in South Holland, IL where he lived 17 years of his life before going off to college. 

South Holland was a truck farming community at that time and as a teenager, he worked in the fields, digging and trimming onions, cutting gladiolas, butchering chickens and turkeys. He also worked for an uncle grading, washing, and packaging eggs. During the summers when attending Calvin College he worked at a factory to support himself and pay for college tuition. 

In his Junior year at Calvin College, he met Albertha Visscher. They were married in the Platte, SD Christian Reformed Church on June 6, 1956. After the wedding they left to make their home in Grand Rapids and lived in an apartment near the Calvin Campus so he could walk to his classes at Calvin Seminary. 

While in seminary, he was assigned to fill the vacancy at First Christian Reformed Church of Orange City, Iowa for 3 months, a church of over 200 families. This was very scary because he had only preached one sermon prior to this. It was a wonderful experience and the church was so kind and loving. The next summer he was assigned to Fort Lauderdale, Florida for three months under the leadership of Rev. Bareman. It was a totally different church than Orange City. He loved the people and they loved him. After graduating from Calvin Seminary in 1959, he began a life of ministry for 40 years serving churches in Hartley, Iowa, Colton, South Dakota, Oskaloosa, Iowa, and Cutlerville, Michigan, preaching God's Word and loving God's people. While serving the Colton Christian Reformed Church, they were blessed with their 2 children, Roger and Janet.  

He continued to be a source of joy to everyone around him. His attitude was a result of faith and trust in his Heavenly Father. Wally was thoroughly prepared for his departure from this life on earth. Every minute of his life was a gift from God. 

After retirement in 1997, he was honored to be on staff at the Stroo Funeral Home for about 25 years and preached in surrounding churches for about 5 years. He enjoyed his family, his daily walks, morning coffee time with friends, reading, playing games, working outdoors and volunteering for Crossroads Prison Ministries and Samaritans Carriage. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. His journey in life was one of great faith and a complete trust in his awesome God.

He will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 68 years, Albertha; a son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Allison Swets; a daughter, Jan Cunningham; grandchildren, Ashley, Amber, Tyler, Roger W. ; sister, Judie, whose husband Elmer Visscher of Platte, SD is Albertha’s brother; other brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Sherm (Lois) Visscher of Platte SD, Millie Swets of Delavan, WI, Judy Visscher of Concord, CA. Walter was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Arlene and Evelyn; brothers, Henry and Edward; brothers-in-law, Henry Visscher, Bill Goodyke, Roger Vander Laan and sister-in-law, Clare Vander Laan. 

The family will greet visitors on Monday, March 31, from 6 - 8 pm at Stroo Funeral Home, and on Tuesday, April 1 from 10 - 10:45 am prior to the service at Cutlerville East Christian Reformed Church, 501 68th St. SE, where the funeral service will begin at 11 am. Rev. Ed Visser and Rev. Brian Vos will officiate. Interment will be in Winchester Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Walter Swets Scholarship for Hispanic Students at Westminster Seminary California, which can be made through the funeral home or directly to  the seminary at 1725 Bear Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92027.

 "FOR ME TO LIVE IS CHRIST BUT TO DIE IS GAIN"