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Obituary: Gerrit “Bernie” Dokter

July 27, 1929 – February 27, 2022

information provided by Zaagman Memorial Chapel

Obituary: Gerrit

G. Bernard “Bernie” Dokter, born July 27, 1929, passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 27, 2022, at his home in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Lydia (Moes) Dokter; children Jane (Greg) Compeau, Eric “Ric” Dokter, Brian (Caryl) Dokter, Joy Dokter, and Valerie (Steve) Pruett; grandchildren Michael (Tamara) Dokter, Jen (Chris) Voccia, Derek (Lisa) Dokter, Cindy Compeau, Rob Pruett, Becca Pruett, Mickee Dokter, Will Pruett, Jonny Dokter; great-grandchildren August, Parker, Mathius, Chloe, Garret, Jaida, Braden, and Miles; he is also survived by brother Ed Dokter, and in-laws Walter Blom, John Moes, Marsha (Moes) Anema, Joanne (Moes) VanderMey, Flossie (Moes) Bolhuis, and many dear nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Evert and Bertha (Wissink) Dokter, and siblings Henry Dokter and Evelyn (Dokter) Blom. His brother-in-law Gene VanZee passed away on the same day as Bernie. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Bernie was ordained into the ministry of the Christian Reformed Church in 1953, serving churches in Hills, MN, Ferrysburg, MI, and Muskegon, MI. He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force from 1957 to 1960. He also served as missionary to Argentina from 1964 to 1972, Honduras from 1972 to 1979, and as Secretary for Latin American Missions for CRCWM from 1979 to 1985. He retired in 1994 and subsequently performed ministry in healing work with various churches. He preached in the Lansing, IL, area whenever he came to visit family.

Bernie’s strongest characteristic was his deep and abiding love for his Lord, and his desire to share the good news of God’s love with all he met. He was an avid golfer and gardener, an excellent woodworker, and he loved to camp. One of his greatest joys was leading Bible studies in a variety of venues.

There will be visitation at Brookside Christian Reformed Church (3600 Kalamazoo Ave SE, Grand Rapids, MI) on Friday, March 4, 2022, from 1 pm to 3 pm, with a Memorial Service to follow at 3 pm. For those who wish to watch the memorial service online, it will be livestreamed on Brookside Christian Reformed Church’s Facebook page.

Memorial gifts in Bernie’s name may be made to World Renew or Resonate Global Mission.

The Lansing Journal
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