Nella Ann Faber

Nella Ann Faber, born Nella Ann Kooistra on September 15, 1927, in Prospect Park, New Jersey, to Jacob G. Kooistra and Lena Sytsma Kooistra, passed away peacefully on March 6, 2026, at Resthaven Maple Woods Assisted Living in Holland, Michigan, at the age of 98.

Nella graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High School and began her career as a secretary at Vandenberg Brothers Furniture in downtown Grand Rapids. In 1951 she married Gerard Faber, and together they raised four children in Grand Rapids. Over the years she continued working as a secretary in academic, retail, and medical settings. She found great joy in reading, listening to opera and classical music, playing Scrabble, and spending summers with her children and grandchildren by the shores of Lake Michigan.

She is survived by her children Steven (Pamela) Faber, Randall Faber, Lori Andrus, and Gwen Terpstra; eight grandchildren, Brent Faber, Adrienne Faber, Christopher (Patty) Westra, Michael (Hanna) Westra, Alexis Andrus, Anne Terpstra, Laina Terpstra, and Vivian (Dylan) Gaines; and four great-grandchildren, Jacob Faber, Henry Faber, Sean Westra, and Wynn Westra. She is also survived by her sister Marilyn Marsh and brother John Kooistra. Nella was preceded in death by her husband Gerard Faber, her sister Anna Kooistra, her brother George Kooistra, and her grandson Ian Faber.