In memoriam: Jane Rachel Slotsema

Western Herald - news









WMU graduate student Jane Rachel Slotsema was killed Feb. 23 in a fatal car crash while driving the wrong way along U.S. 131.











Slotsema, 25, entered south in the northbound lanes on U.S. 131 around 9:50 p.m. Feb. 23, according to MLive. She drove the wrong way 2.5 miles before causing a double-fatal collision by striking the vehicle of Jonathan Yarrington, a 27-year-old father of two.






Police have not released any other information regarding Slotsema’s state or whereabouts in the time leading up to the crash.





At the time of her death, Slotsema was working on completing a master’s degree in counseling psychology from WMU and was set to complete her degree in the spring of 2017. She graduated from Grand Rapids Christian High in 2009, then went on to graduate from the University of Michigan with a degree in social psychology in 2013.





“She was a good student. She attended every class; she was always present and actively participated,” Dr. Stephen Craig, one of Slotsema’s professors at WMU said. “She was courageous in voicing her perspective in class.”











According to her online obituary, Slotsema was an adventurous, energetic person who always sought to make people laugh.





Jane Slotsema is survived by her parents, Daniel and Linda Slotsema; her siblings and their children: Paul and Pam (Betten) Slotsema, Polly, Preston, and Pierce; Katherine and Luke Raymond, Sarah Claire and Elise; David and Jamie Slotsema; Michael Slotsema, and Sarah Slotsema, according to her obituary.





In lieu of flowers, Slotsema’s family asks that condolences be sent in the form of memorial contributions to Grand Rapids Christian Schools and Hope Network. 






















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