Rev. David Zylstra

Rev. David Arthur Zylstra, 73, passed away Thursday evening, March 24, 2022, at Pine Haven Christian Home in Sheboygan Falls.

David was born on April 7, 1948, in Chicago, IL, to Arthur and Kathryn (nee Mellema) Zylstra. He was a graduate of Chicago Christian High School and continued his education at Trinity College, Calvin College and Calvin Seminary.

On June 4, 1971, David married Claudia Berends in Grand Rapids, MI. David served as pastor of five Christian Reformed Churches over the course of 43 years, retiring in 2017. He served terms on the boards of both Dordt College and Calvin College. A perpetual lover of music, David sang Baritone in the Minnesota Chorale, sang and served as president of the Waterloo / Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra Chorus, and sang and served as president of the Prairie Arts Chorale.

In his free time, David enjoyed biking, going for drives, camping, traveling, and enjoying good food and company. He had a calm, easy-going personality, with a dry sense of humor. He was a lover of ancient history, a man who enjoyed the drive as much as the destination, and above all, David was a faithful man of God who instilled in his family a rich heritage of faith, a legacy to last generations.

David is survived by his wife, Claudia Jeanne Zylstra; two sons, Andrew (Jennifer) Zylstra, Brian (Lisa) Zylstra; daughter, Rachel (John) Walkinshaw; six grandchildren, Maria, Kathryn, Caleb, Hannah, Iona, and Josephine; two brothers, Donald Zylstra and John (Diane) Zylstra; sister, Rita Vandrunen; two sisters-in-law, Mary (Thomas) Stuit and Susan (John) Medendorp; two brothers-in-law, Tim (Barbara) Berends and Mark (Ann) Berends; and dear friend Thomas Soerens. He is further survived by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

David was preceded in death by his parents; Arthur and Kathryn Zylstra; parents-in-law, Edward & Wilma Berends; sister-in-law, Sandra Zylstra; two brothers-in-law, Milton Van Drunen and Edward (Leah) Berends; and a dear friend, Michael DuMez.

A visitation will take place at Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg on Sunday, April 3, 2022, from 1pm until 4pm and again on Monday at Oostburg Christian Reformed Church from 9 am until 10:45 am.  A service to celebrate David's life will be held at 11am on Monday at church with Rev. Tom Soerens officiating.

A livestream of the service on Monday at 11am will take place by visiting www.wenig.live/DavidZylstra .

A memorial fund is being established in his name.

For online condolences and additional information please visit www.wenigfh.com.

The Wenig Funeral Home of Oostburg (920-564-2771) is serving the Zylstra family with arrangements.