Marilyn Lou Utter

Marilyn Lou Boorsma age 89 of Hudsonville, Michigan passed away peacefully at her daughter's home, surrounded by her family. She was born on December 15, 1935, in Walker Michigan to the late Louis Boorsma and Dorothy(Marlin) Boorsma. She lived briefly in Grand Haven, Michigan as a youngster then Grandville and finally Buchanan Street in Grand Rapids. Marilyn attended Ferry Elementary in Grand Haven and PS 10 in Grandville before continuing her education at Kelloggsville Schools, where she graduated from Kelloggsville High School in 1954.During her senior year and after graduation, Marilyn worked at Bell Telephone in Grand Rapids.

As a young woman, Marilyn treasured summers at Big Star Lake, where she enjoyed swimming and water skiing. Another pastime was roller skating with school friends. She loved visiting her grandparents' farm in Grandville on Old 44th Street, where she played with her many cousins in the warm embrace of a large Dutch family.

On July 25 1958, she married Allen F. Utter in Kentwood, Michigan. They made their home at 1444 Katrina Dr. in Kentwood, Michigan for approximately 12 years. All four of their children were born there. They enjoyed fishing and spending time at Robinson Lake in White Cloud at her parents' trailer.

In 1971, Marilyn, Allen, and their family moved to Hudsonville, Michigan. Marilyn worked alongside her husband Allen in their home business, Jamestown Draperies, for many years. Marilyn worked for a time at Hudsonville Nursing Home in the early 1980s. Later she took a deli position at the Jenison D&W grocery store. Eventually she was able to become a certified Pharmacy Technician for D&W store, which was her favorite occupation. Her last position was working in the pharmacy at Grandville Meijer.

When Marilyn's kids were still at home they purchased their own pop-up camper and created countless memories exploring Michigan and beyond. The Upper Peninsula held a special place in her heart, particularly the Two Hearted River and Copper Harbor. In later years, she and Allen bought a motorhome and embarked on many adventures traveling across the United States with their daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Marilyn was a talented seamstress and a good knitter. She made beautiful mittens and hats, which she made first for her own children and later for missions at her church.

Her faith was so important to her. She attended Beacon Light Chapel near her home on Buchanan Street in Kelloggsville as a very young girl and was instrumental in encouraging her parents to return to church. Eventually, the Boorsma's worshiped at Home Acres Reformed Church in Kentwood. When she and her family moved to Hudsonville they attended Forest Grove Reformed Church in Forest Grove, Michigan. In later years Marilyn joined Mars Hill Church in Grandville, Michigan.

Marilyn appreciated her wonderful group of friends she swam with at the Zeeland Recreation Center in Zeeland, Michigan. She also found joy in reading, loved her cat Pumpkin, and delighted in feeding the Orioles each spring.

Survivors include children, Michelle (Mark) Timmer, Steven (Melissa Hamman) Utter, Brent (Alina Borowczyk)Morgan, and Kris (Nicole Paulson) Utter; grandchildren, Haley Timmer, Drew (Stephanie Smith) Timmer, and Christopher (Sarah Van Lente) Timmer; Wyatt, Journey, Levi, Alysse, and Lucas Utter; Rafal Borowczyk; Evangeline, Sienna, Tristyn, Olivia, and Zachariah Utter; great-grandchildren, Elijah, Lilia, and Abigail Timmer; Brother Wayne A.(Lourene Gilner) Boorsma and several cousins, nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Allen in 2023, parents, Louis and Dorothy Marlin Boorsma, infant son, Christopher Foster Utter and brother Robert Boorsma.

Per her wishes, cremation has taken place and her remains will be buried at Forest Grove cemetery, Jamestown, Michigan in the spring of 2026.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff of Corewell Health Hospice for their care and compassion throughout this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, memorial funds may be donated to: Corewell Health Hospice, Grand Rapids, MI.

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.