Wierda, Gerrit Lee  8/19/1949 - 2/23/2021  Westerville, Ohio

Gerrit Lee Wierda, 71, of Westerville, Ohio and formerly of Bay City and Saginaw, Michigan, died at Riverside Hospital in Columbus, Ohio following years of difficult health issues but ultimately passing from COVID. Everyone who knew Lee admired his attitude toward physical challenges through so many years. Lee was born on August 19, 1949, in Saginaw, Michigan to Gerrit John and Virginia Case Wierda. Lee was a proud graduate of Douglas MacArthur High School, Class of 1968, and Michigan State University. He also was so pleased to earn a degree in Computer Information Systems from Saginaw Valley State University.

He worked initially in the family business, Art Sample Furniture, and then enjoyed over 20 years with Michigan Works. Lee was always interested in technology and served often as a help desk to family and friends. In his healthier years he loved being outside, and just like his mother, was a nature lover. On July 31, 1976, he married Carolyn Courtright Wierda, a Torch Lake romance and the talk of the family when a Buckeye and Michigander connected. They enjoyed their life raising their family in Saginaw Township and later living a condominium life in Bay City.

Lee is survived by his daughter, Jennifer Lee Bechtold (Jason Bechtold) in Westerville, Ohio, and Gerrit Michael Wierda (Carrie Wierda) in Saginaw Township. His granddaughters were the love of his life and he enjoyed each moment together with them: Bryn Bechtold (8); Elle Bechtold (5) who shared a birthday with Papa; Hailey Wierda (3) and Hannah Wierda, born just seventeen hours before Lee's passing. Additionally, Lee is survived by his brother, Chris Wierda (Kaye), Carmel Valley, California; his sister, Deborah Ott (David), Eastport, Michigan; brother-in-law Erick Zanner, Bexley, Ohio; sister in law Sarah Clubb (David), Bexley, Ohio; and brother in law John Courtright (Susan), Ann Arbor, Michigan. He is also survived by five nephews and nine nieces and cousins Dennis Wierda and Randy Wierda. He is preceded in death by his parents, his in-laws, John and Anne Courtright, and special sister-in-law, Susan Zanner.

A private family remembrance ceremony will be held at Torch Lake in the summer to come. Memorial contributions may be made to the Three Lakes Association ( PO Box 689, Bellaire, Michigan, 49615) or the Bay Commitment Fund, Bay Area Community Foundation ( 1000 Adams St. Suite 200, Bay City, Michigan 48708). To leave a message for the family visit www.NewcomerColumbus.com.