In memoriam: Rev. Theodore (Ted) Wevers

Rev. Theodore Wevers was a man of humor and wisdom who considered it a theological imperative to “walk the talk” every day. He died peacefully on May 23 at the age of 91.

Wevers began working at a very young age as a dairy farmer in Wisconsin, quitting school after grade 8 to help his father on the family farm. “After my mom and dad were married,” recounted Wevers’s daughter, Thea Toonstra, “my dad had several small ‘accidents’ on the farm. During every recuperation, he would say, ‘Sometimes I feel like I am supposed to be a minister.’ After his injuries healed, however, he would set that nudge of the Spirit aside again.”

But when the hay baler Wevers was driving collided with a truck on the highway, causing back injuries that prohibited him from lifting over 10 pounds, Wevers had to leave farming behind. He lived with constant pain for the remainder of his life. But it was always a reminder, Wevers said, that he was where God wanted him to be

Wevers moved to Grand Rapids, Mich., with his wife and two young children and began studies at Calvin College, eventually graduating from Calvin Theological Seminary in 1960.

Wevers served as pastor to Christian Reformed congregations in Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, California, and Wisconsin. He loved studying and preaching the Word of God, but also enjoyed teaching catechism, leading Bible studies, and working with the youth of the church. Following retirement in 1987, Wevers enjoyed serving as an interim pastor to churches that did not have a minister.

Wevers will be missed by his family for his wisdom, his unconditional love and support of his children and grandchildren, and his daily prayers for all of them. His children said they will continue to carry the torch of faith they were handed.

Wevers was preceded in death by his first wife, Frances; his second wife, Julia; and his daughter, Betty Zondervan.

Wevers is survived by his children and their spouses Arnold and Thea Toonstra, Frank and Sally Wevers, and James Zondervan, and by11 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.