Mildred Mildred Irene (Cutler) Lettinga, of Wayland, died at her home Thursday, Sept. 7, following several months of ill health. She was 84.
Mrs. Lettinga was born Dec. 2, 1932, the daughter of Lloyd and Elsie Cutler. Mildred was the last surviving Cutler from Cutlerville.
Mildred was born, raised and lived on her family farm on Patterson Road until the time of her death. Mrs. Lettinga graduated from Wayland High School where she was a member of the girl’s high school basketball team, and played in the orchestra. After graduation, she attended Grand Rapids school of Bible and Music, and worked for Dr. DeHaan at Radio Bible Class (Day of Discovery).
Mildred married Verne Lettinga of Moline on June 7, 1953. Presently she held an officer’s position with Barry County Gideons. Mildred and Verne were inducted into the Michigan Farmer’s Hall of Fame, which now resides in Marshall. She had a great love of sports (Detroit Tigers and followed all of her sons in basketball, and grandchildren in high school basketball, and college swimming, diving, and gymnastics). She also loved to attend the County fairs each year to watch her children, and now grand and great grandchildren show all of their cows, and pigs.
Surviving are her husband of 64 years, Verne; her five children, Denise and George Wright of Indianapolis, IN, Allan and Lori Lettinga of Muskegon, Randy and Deb Lettinga of Muskegon, Kirt Lettinga of Grand Rapids, and Paul and Leslie Lettinga of Middleville; 12 grandchildren, Danyelle and Darryl McCallen, Ashley and Mike Brower, Matt and Katie Lettinga, Andrew and Kendall Lettinga, Mark and Samantha Lettinga, Luke Lettinga, Marcie Lettinga, Chad and Jen Lettinga, Nicole Lettinga and Joel Striegle, Kristi and Chad Groen, Mason Lettinga and Kinsee Lettinga; 10 great grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters in law, WIlbur (Bill) and Sharon Lettinga, Ralph and June Lettinga, Ted and Ellie Lettinga; aunt, Evelyn (Nagel) Dredge; several nieces and nephews.
Mildred was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Douglas Cutler, sister, Mary Ann Bartel (Gamble).
Visitation for Mrs. Lettinga will be held at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Chapel (Caledonia) 616 Main St., on Sunday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday prior to the services at church. Funeral services will be held at the Calvary Church of Wayland, 304 S. Main St., Monday at 11 a.m. Interment in Robbins Cemetery.
The family requests that memorial contributions be given to Hope Network.
