Dennis Craig Ondersma

Dennis Craig Ondersma, age 72, of Alto, Michigan, passed away peacefully at his home on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family, following a hard-fought battle with cancer.

The son of Andrew and Jane Ondersma, Dennis was born on November 1, 1953, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He graduated from East Christian High School in 1972. He married the love of his life, Julie Blossfeld, on August 28, 1981. Together, they built a beautiful life, raising two children and sharing more than 45 years of marriage. They enjoyed traveling together, making memories with family, and spending treasured time with their grandchildren.

Dennis had an extraordinary gift for connecting with people. Whether talking with a longtime friend or someone he had just met, he could strike up a conversation, make a connection, and leave a lasting impression. Early in his career, he worked at Kawasaki Midwest, where he developed a lifelong passion for speed and adventure. He loved fast motorcycles, jet skis, muscle cars, and even horses.

Later, Dennis founded his own contracting business, where he spent many years doing work he truly enjoyed. He took great pride in his craftsmanship and in helping others, leaving his mark on countless homes and the people who lived in them. His work reflected the same qualities that defined his life: hard work, generosity, and a willingness to lend a hand whenever someone needed help.

More than anything, Dennis was devoted to his family. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He enjoyed fishing, skiing, boating, camping, hunting, and spending time outdoors. Whether on the water, around a campfire, or gathered with family and friends, he loved creating memories with the people he cared about most.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Jane Ondersma; his nephews, Scott DeVries and Steve DeVries; his brothers-in-law, John Lau and Larry DeVries; and many dear friends who became like family, including Chuck and Mary Worst, Brad Zeeuw, and Tom Kooi.

He leaves behind his beloved wife, Julie; his children, Lauren (Tim) Mills and Andrew (Lauren) Ondersma; and his cherished grandchildren, Adrienne, Leah, Andrew, Hudson, Maeve, and Ayden. He is also survived by his dear friend, Joy DeBoer; his siblings, Carolyn DeVries, Gail (Bob) Klamer, and Dale (Marilyn) Ondersma; and many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who will miss him dearly.

The family will hold a private celebration of life at a later date to honor Dennis and remember the life, love, and countless memories he shared with those closest to him.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to a college fund for Dennis’s grandchildren. Donations may be sent via Venmo to @Julie-Ondersma at https://venmo.com/u/Julie-Ondersma.