Jean Mary Hoekstra

HOEKSTRA, Jean Mary
Of Kalamazoo Jean Mary Lundahl Hoekstra passed away March 16, 2011. She was preceded in death by her husband of nearly 58 years, Thayer Bishop Hoekstra d. January 2011. Jean was born March 19, 1930 in Warren, Pennsylvania, the eldest of two daughters born to Norman Lundahl and Gertrude Dalrymple Lundahl. Upon graduating from the WCA Hospital School of Nursing Women's Christian Association in Jamestown, New York, Jean accepted a nursing position in south Florida. She met her husband, Thayer, in Lake Worth, Florida while pursuing her nursing career. They married May 23, 1953 and built their home and raised their family in Kalamazoo and later Portage, Michigan. In retirement Jean and Thayer spent winters at their second home in Lake Worth, Florida. Together they enjoyed the beach, dancing, tennis, golf, and time with their family. In recent years Jean and Thayer celebrated the milestones of the grandchildren they were so proud of - high school and college graduations, engagements, weddings, and the birth of great-grandchildren. Jean is survived by her sister, Sally David d. June 2006 Clark, brother-in-law Robert Kay Hoekstra, sister-in-law Barbara George d. April 2001 Hoekstra; children Mark Teri Newhouse Hoekstra of Tampa, Florida, Steve Linda Hollerbach Hoekstra of Portage and Holly Phyllis King Hoekstra of Cedar Springs, Michigan; and grandchildren Tiffany Lance Cornelius, Brandon Angela Hoekstra, Brett Dani Hoekstra, Kendall Ryan Pipes, Jenna Hoekstra, Elyse Hoekstra, and Phylisia, Christina and Trenton Winter. She and Thayer were delighted with their two young great-grandchildren Carter and Alexa Cornelius. Visiting her hometown of North Warren, Jean took pleasure in the unchanging beauty of the area and cherished her memories of golfing with her family and enjoying the picturesque main street. She deeply loved time spent with extended family and old and dear friends still residing in the area. A private family service is being planned for late June when the cremated remains of Jean and Thayer will be scattered together near Thayer's childhood home and their cherished Austin Lake summer family gathering site. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Jean's honor to Rose Arbor Hospice, Covenant Senior Day Program or the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of Alzheimer Association. Please visit www.langelands.com for online guestbook, memories and condolences for the family.