TRAVERSE CITY — Freerk (Fred) Schaafsma, 65, died Nov. 8, 2012, in Traverse City.
Fred graduated from General Motors Institute and went on to an executive career with GM. He was passionate about cars, bikes and the outdoors. As a 50-year immigrant from the Netherlands, he told everyone he "lived the American Dream Plus."
Fred is survived by his wife of 43 years, Rebecca Schaafsma; four brothers, Sybren, Wietse, Rene and Victor Schaafsma; two sisters, Corey Caverson and Karin Schaafsma; two children and their spouses, Dale and Lauren Schaafsma, and Chris and Adriane Willmuth; and three grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Marga Stya.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 3 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to MESP, include memo note: account #31790152 and send to Custodian Adriane Willmuth, 5817 Wooddale Ave, Edina, MN 55424 (an education account set up for his mentee, Hugo); or to the National MS Society, 21311 Civic Center Dr., Southfield, MI 48076.
The family is being served by Life Story Funeral Home. More details are available at www.caringbridge.org/visit/fredschaafsma.
Obituaries
November 14, 2012
Freerk (Fred) Schaafsma
- Obituaries
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- Norman D. Reece
- Mary Cecelia Wright
- Beryl Ione Wyatt
- John 'Jack' M. Sweeney
- James W. Nichols
- May 20, 2013
- Jean Ann Donley
- May 19, 2013
- Justin Lee Smith
- Mary Philo
- Shirley J. Denham
- Melvin P. Pahl
- Rose M. Ciesla
- Edward and Thelma Seabrook
- May 18, 2013
- Agnes Elida Anderson Hardy
- May 17, 2013
- Melissa Ann (Cherry) Scanlon
- Anthony Michael 'Mike' Lazarus
- James 'Jim' John Griffin
- Matthew Robert Rieschl
- May 16, 2013
- Robert Louis Cox
- Judith Ann (Morris) Jenne
- Richard Gene Cypher
- Eleanor May Niergarth
- Jazeps P. Ziemelis
- May 15, 2013
- Richard Lee 'Bear' Ingersoll
- Ethel W. Ehrenberger
- Emerald Magee
