Marja (Potgiesser) Wisser

Marja 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. Marja immigrated to the United States with her family and enjoyed telling stories of learning English while attending a one-room schoolhouse in Northwood.

Marja was profoundly proud of her Dutch heritage, but it was her U.S. citizenship that spurred her to be fiercely patriotic throughout her life. While attending Kalamazoo Central High School, she met and later married Dick Wisser, with whom she enjoyed 60 years of marriage. Together Dick and Marja established Wisser’s Service in Parchment, Michigan. Along with their children, they built a family legacy of honesty, hard work, and family dedication. From sweeping the lot to painting curbs and counting inventory, both parents and children worked together in a truly “family” business.

When not helping with the business, Marja enjoyed antiques, gardening, attending auctions, bowling, knitting/crocheting, shopping (via QVC), adding to her frog collection, and playing slot machines. She will be joyfully remembered for her work ethic, patriotism, love of a bargain, sense of humor, aversion to mornings, strong opinions, ever-full candy dishes, and delicious Dutch oliebollen.

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

The family will receive friends from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Sunday, March 15, 2026, at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home, Richland, MI, where the Parish Rosary will be recited at 6:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Monday, March 16, 2026, at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Parchment, MI. Interment will be in Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Ambrose Catholic Church, St. Ann Catholic Church, or Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes.