Brett Balkema

Brett Balkema was the man you went to for advice. He was such an insightful, intelligent and level-headed man, who always helped people see the right point of view. He was a consultant, a salesman, a teacher and friend, and as fun-loving a man as there ever was. More than anything, Brett was a beloved son, husband, father and grandfather, who enriched the lives of all who knew him. Bretts story began on a cool fall day in 1957, as the leaves began to turn in Muskegon, Michigan. Those were turbulent times in this country, with the Cold War and the Space Race on the minds of many. Yet Lee and Jeneane (Collier) Balkema found a reason to celebrate on October 4, 1957, with the birth of a baby boy, a son they named Brett Lee Balkema. Brett joined his big sister Deborah and little sister Lorri in the familys Laketon Township home, where his dad worked as a salesman for Anaconda Wire and his mother was a hotelier. Brett attended Laketon Elementary School and Junior High, and thoroughly enjoyed his childhood. He was all boy, and loved riding dirt bikes with his buddy, Vern Wagner. Dirt bikes would be a lifelong love for Brett. When Brett was in junior high, his parents divorced, which was a difficult time for him. He lived with dad and while he was a good kid at heart he managed to find his share of trouble as a teenager. He began attending Muskegon Reeths-Puffer High School, but he was far more interested in fast cars and girls by then. Brett began dating a pretty young woman named Jo Landon, who lived a few blocks away and went to Laketon Bethel Reformed Church with him. She always had a crush on the fun-loving, funny Brett, but he was far too wild to tame in those days. He wasnt all play and no work, though. Brett and his buddy Vern worked as part-time cooks at the Golden Ladle Restaurant, making pancakes. Bretts skills as a short-order cook would stay with him for the rest of his life. Before his senior year, Brett went to live with his mom in Abilene, Texas. He finished school down there, and always joked he graduated from Armadillo High School. His mom was quite the hotelier, owning or operating several hotels around the country over the years, so after high school, Brett moved around from place to place with her. In the early 1980s, Brett returned to Muskegon to visit his dad. Needing a haircut, he reconnected with his high school flame, Jo, who was a stylist in town. They caught up on old times, and Jo was by then a divorced mother of two small kids. The spark was still there between them, however, and she convinced him to stay in his hometown. Brett and Jo began dating again, and he found work at Brunswick. He began taking classes at Muskegon Community College, too. Brett eventually transferred to Baker College, where he earned his Bachelors degree, and graduated at the top of his class. Brett and Jo dated steady for the next two years, but it didnt take him nearly that long to fall deeply in love with her. In fact, he proposed to her 28 different times! She said no each time, with the unhappy memory of her first marriage still fresh in her mind. Finally, during a lunch date together at the G Chili Dogs restaurant in downtown Muskegon, Jo accepted Bretts proposal, and the happy couple was married on August 28, 1982, at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church. The newlyweds settled in Laketon Township near their families, and Brett was so happy and proud of his new family. He adopted Jos children, Dustin and Stephanie, and loved them like his own. As the country song goes, Brett was the Best Dad he never had to be. The couple added their daughter Erica in 1987, and enjoyed a wonderful family life together. They loved going camping together, either in a camper or a rented motor home, traveling all over the country. Brett, big kid that he was, loved visiting amusement parks and riding the coasters. He was a great dad, the dad you could always come to for advice on anything. He wasnt a stern disciplinarian, but hed issue his trademark Come on, guys, if the music got too loud or fighting began. Sometimes the kids would fake their fights, just to hear him say it! After Brunswick downsized, Brett became the head materials manager at Fleet Engineers. During his 13-year career there, he became very knowledgeable about ISO-9000 certification, and armed with that expertise, he started his own consulting business in 1999, called Lean Concepts International. He began helping companies all across the country, and also taught what he knew at the Competitive Change Department at the University of Dayton. If that werent enough, he also worked as a salesman at ABC Warehouse (for the health benefits), and became the top salesman there. Brett was far from all work and no play, however. He and his beloved Jo enjoyed so many adventures together. They loved anything that would blow their hair back, from spinning around the dance floor, to water and snow skiing, to riding dirt bikes together, too! They also enjoyed auto races, and attended several Indy 500 events and races at Michigan International Speedway. Thanks to his business dealings, Brett even got to drive a stock car around the track once! Bretts favorite times didnt always involve adrenaline, though. Most of all, he loved being around his family, especially his grandson, Charles. They all loved to play around and tease each other (Brett was a world-class cutup), and Erica gave her dad the same gag gift every holiday for years. Brett enjoyed using his short-order skills in the kitchen, with the help of his daughter-in-law, Rachel. Brett had some health problems develop over the years, heart problems requiring surgery. He began taking it easier, and seemed to have his condition under control. Then, in February of 2008, they were cleaning the house preparing for Dustin, Rachel and Charles visit home from Germany, where Dustin was stationed, when Brett had a sudden heart attack. Sadly, he died on Sunday, February 3, 2008, at the age of 50. Brett was a remarkable man, who lived a remarkable life, a life so full of successes. He was a successful businessman, salesman, teacher and friend, and the man you went to for advice and support. Most of all, Brett was a loving husband, father and grandfather, whose life and lessons live on in them today. He will be greatly missed. Brett is survived by his wife, Jo; 3 children, Stephanie Balkema of ID, Erica Balkema of Muskegon & Dustin (Rachel) Balkema of NC; father, Lee Roger (Jacquelyn) Balkema of Muskegon; mother, Jeneane (John) Swift of CO; 1 grandson, Charles Balkema; 1 sister, Lorri Froehlich of CO; father-in-law, Charles Landon of Muskegon; Step-siblings, Steve (Sue) Schuitema, Kevin (Sharon) Schuitema, Russel (Lori) Schuitema, Lori(Mark) Kling, Sherri (Jim VanderWier) Churchill; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces & nephews. Services are scheduled for Thursday, February 7, 2008, 1:00 PM at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church with Dr. Sherwin Brantsen officiating. Visitation is Wednesday, 5-8 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo, or sign the online guest book.