Roderick “Rod” J. Meeuwsen age 55, of Gun Lake, died Thursday, Nov. 5.

The husband of Denette Meeuwsen of 26 years, they were soul mates brought together by Joann, a good friend. He was orn in Zeeland to Patricia Brown and the late Earl Meeuwsen.

Rod was the grill master at all family gatherings, where he would cook steak to perfection. He enjoyed golfing with his dad, grandpa Grassmid and his buddies; he was a die-hard MSU fan, he loved Michigan State and anyone that played Michigan. He also had a great love for Orca whales and loved Gun Lake and his fast-yellow boat rides. He worked at Bradford White for almost 25 years.

He is survived by his wife Denette; mother, Patricia Brown; step-mother, Barb Meeuwsen; brother, Ross Meeuwsen; sister, Trenda Meeuwsen; step-sisters, Julie Horling, Kimmy Butler, Pam (Dennis) Silva, Michelle (Jeff) Bunker; step-brothers, Stan (Dawn) Brown, Lou (Eileen) Brown; sister-in-law, (Seester) Cheryl (Ivan) Kuhtic; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Rod and Denette were the only aunt and uncle to their very special nieces, Angela (Kevin) Ferris, Monica (Jason) Wolowicz and Sabrina Kuhtic, with whom he had a very close relationship with six great nieces and nephews, Kayla, Isaac and Leah Ferris, Erika, Allison and Garrett Wolowicz.

Rod and Denette had the honor of helping raise Britt and Will, the children of Mark and the late Cathy Jager. Britt is married to Ben Davis and have two children, Olivia and Owen.

He was preceded in death by his father, Earl Meeuwsen; stepfather, Stan Brown; mother and father-in-law, Barb and Andy DeBoer; grandparents Fred and Jean Grassmid; John and Josephine Meeuwsen.

A time of gathering will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23, at Stegenga Funeral Chapel – Wyoming, 3131 S. Division Ave. Wyoming. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions can be made to https://givingto.msu.edu/gift or Paws with a Cause https://www.pawswithacause.org