Mark Steigenga
Mark Allen Steigenga, 75, of Ludington, passed away peacefully Sunday morning, August 3, 2025 with his family by his side. He was born June 10, 1950 in Grand Rapids, son to the late Chris and Jane (Kladder) Steigenga.
For a photographer, writer and classical musician, the world is filled with beauty waiting to be experienced and shared – the curve of a flower, the color of an adjective, the arch of a melody. The senses all hold hands. Throughout his life, Mark has experienced the world sensuously. A classically trained musician and organist, at a young age Mark recalls thrilling to the power of a harmonic progression or the robust energy contained in a Bach fugue. He also recalls the excitement around a newly developed package of photographic prints, picked up with his dad on a Saturday morning years ago at Wyrick’s Photo Shop in Grand Rapids. The store was saturated with the aroma of darkroom chemicals, which to this day recall his mother’s black and white creative images.
Mark first accompanied the Zeeland Civic Chorus “Messiah” in 1970 while an organ student of Dr. John Hamersma at Calvin College. After a two year absence to pursue musical studies at the Royal Conservatory of Toronto, he returned to Zeeland in 1973 and accompanied the Zeeland Civic Chorus for the next 37 years. Over the course of his professional music career, Mark served churches of various denominations throughout West Michigan, the Detroit area, Toronto, Ontario, and Quito, Ecuador. He held the position of Music Director to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Manistee from 1998 until his retirement.
In addition to his performances in Zeeland, he appeared with the New World String Quartet, the Camarata Singers, the Fremont Chorale, and the Westshore, Manistee and Grand Rapids Symphony orchestras. As organ fellow to the Grand Rapids Choir of Men and Boys, he has performed as visiting organ scholar to Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, and the Cathedral of St. Alban, Great Britain.
Mark had an eye for beauty, and was an avid photographer. His family calls him a walking book of knowledge. He loved religion, celebrations and family. Mark was the religion editor for the Ludington Daily News. He is a beloved presence in his community.
Mark and his wife, Linda, married for 31 years have built a home of love, acceptance, warmth and kindness. He is survived by his wife, along with his children: Angela and Chris Gould, Kala and Steve Bieniek, and Steve Steigenga and partner Tina Walbrown. His six grandchildren, William and Lucy Bieniek, Ren O’Brien, Alexzendra Symonds, and Caleb and Avery Gould, as well as his beloved four-legged best friend, Gracie Joy, and his grand dogs, Stella Blue, Ruby Tuesday and Jasper.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Manistee with Rev. Jody Bambas officiating. A luncheon and time of fellowship will immediately follow also at the church. A graveside service and burial will commence at 2:30 p.m. Thursday afternoon at Lakeview Cemetery in Ludington.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Manistee where the family will be at church on Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. The family will also be at the church on Thursday morning one hour prior to the service to receive friends.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to express their sympathies are asked to consider contributions (click here) to cover medical expenses over the last four months.
The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of arrangements.
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