James M. Den Herder

died March 7, 2022, at the age of 97, in Naples, FL.

Jim was born on December 22, 1924. He was raised by parents Jay and Ruth Den Herder in

Holland, Michigan, where he graduated from Holland High School and Hope College. During

World War II, Jim served in the Army Air Corps, flying B-24s for over two years.

After the war, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Fris, and they raised two children,

Lesley Joy and James Fris Den Herder. For most of his working career, Jim was a sales

executive for Menasha Corporation, where he was given a lifetime achievement award. During

those years in sales, Jim spent hours developing his golf game along with many trusted

business relationships. He also served First Michigan Bank as a board member for 17 years.

For most of their retirement years, Jim and Joyce divided their time between Holland and

Naples, FL. After Joyce died in 2000, Jim spent extra effort connecting with grandchildren,

David and Emily Den Herder. He attended football games at the University of Michigan where

David played in the marching band. He also traveled to California to spend time with Emily at

the University of California Santa Barbara. He was proud of their many accomplishments.

In the later decades of his life, Jim continued to spend time in Naples at The Glenview, while

traveling back to Holland for the summer months, living with the family in their five-generation

home along Lake Michigan. He walked every day and enjoyed watching the activity on the lake

from his Adirondack chair. He appreciated connecting with lifelong friends and family in both

Holland and Naples.

Jim is survived by his son James F. Den Herder (Jim) and daughter-in-law Jill of Holland and

Naples, FL. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren now live on opposite coasts: David,

Megan and Jack in New York, NY; and Emily, Jayson and Sailor in Moss Beach, CA.

Jim’s life will be remembered with a family memorial in Holland this summer.

For those who would like to make a contribution in Jim’s memory, please consider Fellowship Reformed

Church, 2165 Lakewood Blvd., Holland, MI 49424. Specify that it is a memorial contribution in

the name of James M. Den Herder.