Donald Richard Griesing, age 89, of Holland, Michigan, was welcomed into the arms of Jesus on Sep 3, 2026.
Don was born on Feb 28, 1937, in Detroit, Michigan, to Donald and Thelma Griesing. The youngest of three children, he grew up alongside his sisters, Jean Rowe and Marilyn Noseworthy. Some of his happiest early memories were made with his family at Black Lake in Onaway, Michigan, a place that would remain special to him throughout his life and later become the setting for many treasured memories with his own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
As a young man, Don was a proud Boy Scout, a talented baseball player, and hockey player, and an avid singer. Music and faith were woven together in his life from the very beginning. He often led singing at church and was deeply involved in his church youth group.
That involvement eventually led him to the love of his life, Virginia “Ginger” Griesing. They met in 1959 on a ski trip to Caberfae, when Don stopped to help Ginger after she fell on the slopes. The rest, as they say, is history.
Don and Ginger were married on Feb 13, 1960, and shared 66 beautiful years together. Their marriage was a testament to devotion, friendship, faith, and enduring love. Together they raised four daughters: Susan (Dan) Santellan, Sarah (David) Perry, Sandra (Dale) Delavergne, and Sherri (Jeffrey) Stonick. Nothing meant more to Don than his family. He was immensely proud of them and loved each of them unconditionally, with an abundance of grace.
His grandchildren were Philip (Emily) Santellan, Paul Santellan, Brian Santellan, Kyle (Jocey) Perry, Patterson Perry, Shelby (Adam) Delavergne, Stephanie (Zach) Postma, Meredith (Luke) Bruinsma, Megan (Russell) Deters, Mariah (Cory) McFarland, Shannon O’Connor, Jacob Stonick, Ashlyn Stonick, Kaleigh Stonick, and his 16 great-grandchildren—Silas, Brayden, Owen, Ivy, Keyan, Harper, Kai, Adelynn, Ophelia, Emery, Wyatt, Colton, Sawyer, Vivian, Saige, and Ezra—brought him tremendous joy.
The memories Don created with his family are countless: camping trips, snowmobiling, summers at Black Lake, family vacations, fishing, and simply spending intentional time together. He had a way of making ordinary moments memorable. He never met a stranger and seemed to know. someone everywhere he went. If you needed to know where to find a great meal anywhere in Michigan, especially good whitefish, you asked Don.
Don began working in the printing-equipment field when he was 20 years old. old. He became a salesman for Itek Corporation and, in 1976, relocated with his family to Holland, Michigan, where he opened his own print shop.
He was exceptionally talented in his work and earned several honors throughout his career, including being named Itek’s top worldwide salesman in 1974 and earning Centurion Club membership for the sixth time. His knowledge and skill were so respected that people continued calling him well into his 80s for help repairing equipment.
Truly a jack of all trades, Don could fix just about anything. Away from work, he loved golfing, fishing, playing cards and marbles, and cheering for Detroit sports teams—whether they were winning or not. He and Ginger also treasured the winters they spent together in Florida. His family will especially miss his biscuits and gravy, his famous apple pie, his stories, his laughter, and his wonderful sense of humor.
Above everything else, Don was a man of deep and unwavering faith. Whether he was walking through the best day of his life or the hardest, his Faith in Jesus carried him. He served faithfully in his church community and was an elder at Holland Church of Christ for many years. He did not simply Speak about what it meant to follow Christ; he lived it every day. Through prayer, trust, kindness, forgiveness, generosity, and service, he showed his family what a true Christian life looked like. His example will continue. through his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and generations still to come.
In his final season, Don was not afraid to die. He knew where he was going and was at peace knowing the reward that awaited him. Although his family will miss him more than words can express, they grieve with hope, knowing he is now free from pain and in the presence of Jesus. They look forward to the day they will see him again, and can only imagine that he is already leading the singing in Heaven.
Don is survived by his beloved wife of 66 years, Virginia “Ginger” Griesing; his daughters and sons-in-law; his 14 grandchildren and their spouses; his 16 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Thelma Griesing, and his sisters, Marilyn Noseworthy and Jean Rowe.
Visitation will be held on Sep 9, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Dykstra.
Funeral Home–Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street, Holland, Michigan.
A funeral service, officiated by Justin Mooney, will take place on September 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Holland Church of Christ, 405 Beeline Road, Holland, Michigan.
The family will receive visitors at the church beginning at 10:00 a.m.
A luncheon will follow at the church.
A private burial will be held at Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
The service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend in person.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr_ylth9ImuXyVLFwG-LlQA
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
—2 Timothy 4:7
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