Ronald Lee Brouwer, age 82, peacefully passed away in his home with his wife by his side on Monday, November 9, 2026.
Ron was born November 16, 1943, to John E. L. Brouwer and Ruth (VanderKolk) Brouwer. He grew up in Drenthe, Michigan. In 1966, Ron married Evelyn Geerlings, and this past June they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. They raised three children: Tim, Troy, and Tara. Their family grew to include seven grandchildren.
At 18, after serving in the Army National Guard, Ron began working at Hudsonville Ice Cream, where he remained until his retirement in 2012. Early in his career, he trained at Michigan State as a licensed butter maker and at one point was the only one in the state. Over the years, he held several positions, including plant manager and Mix Master. From the pride he took in his work and the quality of the ice cream, you’d have thought he owned the company himself. Every family holiday gathering ended with Ron scooping from a buffet of various Hudsonville Ice Cream flavors.
Family was at the center of Ron’s life. “The Farm” on Adams Street in Drenthe remained a constant throughout his life. It was where he grew up and where he continued to stop every day on his way home from work. Every Saturday for decades, you’d find Ron there with his siblings and their families. He happily worked on farm projects alongside his dad and the other men in the family. At the heart of each Saturday was the whole family gathered around the table for a large midday meal prepared by his Ma.
Ron enjoyed hunting and spending time outdoors. An avid coon hunter, he enjoyed raising coonhounds and spent countless nights in the woods. He also hunted bobcat seasonally, but his annual bear hunt in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula was the highlight of his fall. Ron and Ev shared a cabin near Le Roy, Michigan, where they enjoyed getting away and spending time with family. Hunting was something he shared with his sons, a tradition that has carried on to the next generation through his grandsons.
Ron was a member of Haven Christian Reformed Church, where he had been part of the congregation since 1967.
He is preceded in death by his parents, John E. L. and Ruth Brouwer; and his brother, Glenn Brouwer.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn Brouwer; son, Timothy and Tara Brouwer; son, Troy and Jill Brouwer; daughter, Tara and Jon Bossie; grandchildren, Levi Brouwer, Logan Brouwer, Devyn Brouwer, Ty Brouwer, Gavin and Isabella Brouwer, Jonah Bossie, Sebastian Bossie; sisters, Mary Boudreau, Linda and Ken Bruins, Betty and Larry Nyenhuis; sister-in-law, Carol and Dick DeVries; in-laws, Linda Geerlings, Jan Geerlings, Dave and Linda Geerlings; and extended family.
Visitation with the family is from 10:00 – 10:45 am on Thursday, November 12, 2026, at Haven Christian Reformed Church, 541 Alice St. Zeeland, MI 49464.
A Memorial service with military honors will be the same day starting at 11:00 am also at Haven Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Kevin Kleinheksel officiating.
Memorial contributions in Ron’s honor may be given to Haven Christian Reformed Church – Youth Education.
Burial to take place in West Drenthe Cemetery.
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