Obituaries

Noah David Siewertsz van Reesema – Accomplished student and athlete, curious reader and traveler, loving family member and trusted friend, passed away to the next life on April 20, 2024. Noah was born on December 8, 1997, in Northville, Michigan. From an early age, Noah loved spending time with his extended family “up north” at the lake cottage skiing in the winter, boating in the summer, and relaxing with his books in the evening or playing strategy board games with his family. He especially cherished making new friends at the YMCA Storer Summer Camp in Jackson. As he grew, he was able to ski out west and travel with his family throughout Europe. His early love for soccer turned to football and track in high school. Noah graduated from Chelsea High School in 2016. He made deep friendships competing as a teammate in sports. Playing football as a wide receiver and running track in 300-meter hurdles and high jump gave him the opportunity to experience State finals competitions in both sports with his friends. Noah enjoyed playing saxophone and participated in “Company C,” a singing and dance ensemble, as well as finding peace in playing the piano at home. Noah was baptised at New Life Lutheran Church in Northville, MI and he was confirmed at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Chelsea, MI where he was a lifelong member.

Noah followed in his parents’ footsteps by attending Michigan State University, graduating in 2020 (his sister, Julia, also graduated from MSU in 2023). He was invited to join the Honors College and received a B.S. in Applied Engineering with a concentration in Supply Chain Management. Noah continued his track career by running the 400-meter hurdles on the MSU track team. He was also an active member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity (Philanthropy Chair) and Vice President of the Internal Relations Interfraternity Council. He was a proud Spartan and became a campus tour guide. He enjoyed volunteering by helping to build homes for Habitat for Humanity through his fraternity. As part of an MSU student abroad program, he worked supporting children at a refugee camp in Greece.

After college, Noah moved east to Massachusetts and Connecticut eventually landing back in the Midwest in Chicago, which he loved like a second MSU home. He worked as a global product manager in the life science industry, which allowed him to blend his engineering and business skills. Noah had a lifelong passion for reading and travel, immersing himself in new people and cultures. His interest in foreign places took him to around 20 countries providing adventuresome memories and fun stories from travels with family or new friends. In middle school, Noah earned a trip to Japan to attend the Chelsea-Shimuzu Sister City Exchange Program. He traveled to South Africa with fellow incoming freshman MSU classmates, where he met some of his closest friends. His family hosted exchange students from Greenland, Japan and Vietnam. He liked to stay in contact and even took his sister Julia to Iceland to meet up for a visit. He traveled to Egypt where he rode camels while seeing the pyramids. 

Noah is survived by his parents, Willem and Kristin S. van Reesema; sister, Julia S. van Reesema; Oma Carole S. van Reesema; aunts and uncles, Fred and Marelvi S. van Reesema, Martine and Craig Blogin, Bryan and Jamie S. van Reesema, Minta and Dave Hissong, and Curtis and Shannon Dobler; cousins, Kylie, Erin, Cameron, Fred, Peter (Rosie), Derek (Angelina), Nick (Lindey), Lauren (Jordan), Willem (Peyton), Alex, Lucas, Martine, Desmond, Bode and Feyre; and many great friends and family in Michigan and across the globe. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Opa Frederik “Peek” S. van Reesema; Gordon and Margaret Dobler, and Janis Wetherbee.

There will be a celebration of Noah’s life for family and friends at St. Paul United Church of Christ in Chelsea, MI, with the Rev. Eric M. Stricklin on Saturday, May 25, 2024. The service will be in the sanctuary from 10-11 am with a reception immediately following from 11 am – 1 pm. If you would like to make a donation in remembrance of Noah, please consider YMCA Storer Camp in Jackson, Michigan, or your favorite charity or summer YMCA camp.

From your family and friends, Noah, thank you for your kindness, curiosity, and smiles. We wish you the peace and love that you shared with so many.