Franklin (Frank) Calsbeek, 87, of Grand Rapids, MI, went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, August 14, 2019. He was born and raised in Rock Valley, IA. During his college years, he excelled in baseball and basketball. He also served two years in the U.S. military during the Korean War. In his professional career, he served as a professor and administrator at Dordt College and Texas State University. During retirement, he became a freelance writer and was a columnist for the N’West Iowa Review. Frank was a strong Christian witness/role model. He delighted in sacred classical music. He treasured spending time with his bride of 57 years, Ula, his children and his grandchildren (and watching them perform/compete). And he was a devout sports fan – he would watch any sporting event. The one miracle he did experience on this earth was seeing the Cubs win a World Series! He was preceded in death by his first wife, Luella Faye (Vlieger) Calsbeek; sister, Mariane (Jim) Gier; brothers, Russell (Karen) Calsbeek and Jerome Calsbeek. Survivors include his beloved wife, Ula (Oosterbaan) Calsbeek; daughters, Leslie Joan (Calsbeek) Vermaat, Leah Rae (Jim) Schipper, Laurel Beth (David) Petno; and grandchildren, Paige Vermaat, Jayne Vermaat, Joel Schipper, Carlyn Schipper, Kendall (Petno) Richards, Braden Petno and Luke Petno. The visitation and funeral will be held on Saturday, August 17 at Zaagman Memorial Chapel, 2800 Burton SE, Grand Rapids. Visitation will be from 10 – 11:45 a.m. and the funeral will begin at noon. Memorial contributions can be made to Visiting Angels, Kindred Hospice and/or East Paris CRC.
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