Patricia "Pat" Collet

Patricia Ann (Van Zytveld) Collet passed away peacefully on April 16, 2025 at the age of 93. She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 73 years, Clifford N. Collet. They are now together again in Heaven. Pat is also preceded in death by her parents Peter John and Hazel Van Zytveld, and her 4 brothers, Arthur, Neil, Peter John Jr, and Raymond Van Zytveld.

Pat is survived by her daughter Debra (Mitch) Greskowiak, her Granddaughter Amy (Greg) Olsen, her grandson Brandon (Maria) KG Schaefer, and 4 awesome great-grandchildren Sofia and Samantha Olsen, Carsten and Bianca Schaefer.

Pat was a one -of -a-kind woman. She was tenacious and classy. She had a wicked and playful sense of humor. She was the main provider for her family growing up, helping her mom care for her brothers.

She met Clifford at Creston High School but didn’t start dating him until after they graduated in 1949. Pat married Clifford in 1952 and 4 years later they had their daughter Debra.

After working at the telephone company for a short while, Pat became a wife and mother. Pat was a force to be reckoned with. Mama Bear Pat was a fierce protector of her family whom she loved dearly.

She took her role as wife, mother and grandmother very seriously. She was always there whenever anyone needed her. Pat was a very caring soul who selflessly took care of her ailing mother until she passed away.

She loved family get-togethers, especially “Camp Van Zytveld”, the annual Van Zytveld family reunion. Nothing “tickled her fancy” more than seeing her brothers. Nothing gave her greater joy than spending time with her family, laughing and having fun.

Pat was a classy woman who took great pride in her appearance. Always put together, she would frequently joke about her “Coiffure” or her hair and getting it just right. She was into fitness and health an even made the Grand Rapids Press when they featured her in an article about women and fitness.

She took great pride in her family and keeping a clean household. She might have been Dutch, but she cleaned everything like a German. There was not a speck of dust in her house, no dirty dish to be found, no spots on the carpet, and no fingerprints on the windows…ever…and if there was…run and hide.

Patricia was always young at heart until the end. Now may she be at peace and young at heart again with her soulmate and family. We thank the heavens above for blessing us with her presence in our lives for so many years. Patricia Ann will be missed more than she could ever have known.