Marja Wisser

Marja Wisser entered eternal life on March 9, 2026, at home, exactly where she wanted to be. Born on June 5, 1941, to Berend and Gertrude (Huiskes) Potgiesser in Groningen, Netherlands, she immigrated to the United States with her family as a child. She often recalled learning English while attending a one-room schoolhouse in Northwood. Though deeply proud of her Dutch heritage, Marja cherished her U.S. citizenship and remained fiercely patriotic throughout her life.

She met Dick Wisser while attending Kalamazoo Central High School, and the two shared 60 years of marriage. Together they established Wisser’s Service in Parchment, Michigan, building a true family business alongside their children. From sweeping the lot to painting curbs and counting inventory, the entire family worked side by side, creating a legacy rooted in honesty, hard work, and dedication to one another.

Marja found joy in antiques, gardening, attending auctions, bowling, knitting and crocheting, shopping on QVC, adding to her frog collection, and playing slot machines. She will be remembered for her strong work ethic, patriotism, love of a bargain, sense of humor, strong opinions, aversion to mornings, ever-full candy dishes, and her delicious Dutch oliebollen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband Dick, and her sister Gerry VanderPloeg. Marja is forever loved and cherished by her children Jeff (Joy) Wisser, Brenda (Chris) Sinkovitz, and Rick (Jill) Wisser; her grandchildren Jamie (Labiba), Corey (Taylor), Kate, Peter (Gretchen), Lan (Ryan), Sarah (Nathan), and RJ (fiancée Jessica); her great-grandchildren Matthias, Thérèse, and Arvin; her sisters-in-law Ann Wisser (Ron Lester), Jane (Joe) Runza, Joyce Draper, Barb Wisser, and Judy (Jeff) Smith; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.