Donald Jay Hielkema

Passing from this life to his eternal home on December 5, 2022, Don has been forever relieved from all the effects of Parkinson’s Disease.  Funeral service Saturday, December 10, 2022 at 11 AM at Faith Christian Reformed Church in New Brighton.  Visitation from 9:30 – 11 AM at the church on Saturday.  Interment at Pease Cemetery.  Memorials preferred to Avail Academy.  If you would like flowers delivered to the church, please contact Lexington Floral 651 483-2786.

To Livestream Don's Service CLICK HERE

Donald “Don” Jay Hielkema was born May 3, 1948 in Grand Rapids, MI.  He graduated from South Christian High School in 1966 and served his country in the US Air Force.  He went on to graduate from Michigan State University in 1977.  Don moved to Minneapolis and worked in sales.  He married Marilyn Van De Riet on June 25, 1988.  Don and Marilyn spent the last year of his life at Sterling Pointe in Princeton.  The family will be forever grateful for the wonderful care he received from the staff there.

He is survived by his dear wife of 34 years, Marilyn Hielkema;  brothers, Roger (Hazel) Hielkema of Hudsonville, MI and Ken (Gladys) Hielkema of Gallup, NM;  in-laws Carol Van De Riet of Princeton, MN, Phil Van De Riet, Dick and Lois Ritzema, and Bob and Lynn Swanson all of Milaca, MN, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends around the country.
Although Don and Marilyn had no children, they loved and treated their nieces and nephews as their own.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Cornelius “Casey” and Nella (Vanden Bosch) Hielkema;  stepmother, Clara (De Hoog) Hielkema of Grand Rapids, MI, and in-laws, Wayne and Florence Van De Riet and Bob Van De Riet of Milaca, MN and Wes Van De Riet of Princeton, MN.