Jill Koning

Jill Koning was born in Grand Rapids, MI to Thomas and Pamela (MacFarlane) DeZwaan. They welcomed home their newborn baby girl, Jill Erin, on December 12, 1973.

Born the oldest of four children, her birth brought much joy to their young family home on Eastern Avenue. A few years later they moved to Langley Street SE near her Grandparents in Kentwood. Most of her early years were spent roller skating in the basement, attending Church and AWANA, playing outdoors and swimming at her Grandparents home.

In a few years time, Jill became a big sister to Carrie, Joe, and Catey. Her youthful energy and outgoing personality often brought laughter to others along with imaginative childhood adventures. Sometimes her imagination could take her and her siblings a bit too far and find her in trouble with Mom and Dad.

Family vacations included camping trips around Michigan, and a number of family gatherings at Gale Cottage in New Hampshire. One of her favorite memories was stopping in Lake Placid New York and standing on the Olympic podium. The Olympics was always a favorite of Jill's and would lead her to enjoy ice skating on the frozen Tibbets Lake behind their home in Traverse City during one of her middle school years.

Jill enjoyed reading books from a very young age. The many hours of reading Nancy Drew mysteries, Little House on the Prairie and many other adventure and mystery books would feed her vivid imagination and lead her into theater at Sparta High School. Jill had roles in several performances including The Mouse That Roared, Dracula, Murder by Numbers (which was her favorite), and Carousel. Jill also discovered competitive running in High School, and hurdles were her specialty on the Track Team for Sparta.

Juggling her studies, her acting, and sports, while also holding down a job at Russ’ Restaurant on Alpine Avenue kept her busy. After a couple of years, Jill would become a Salad Girl at Russ' Restaurant. She would make a number of friendships at Russ', and one particular boy she had been working with had caught her eye. This boy would often order a salad for his break when she was working and many times she would be able to share dinner breaks together with him. This boy, Chris Koning, would eventually leave Russ' the end of her Junior year. It seemed that Chris had other interests and did not seem to have given Jill much special notice, but his parting hug, and words to her, left her confused and in question.

Jill would receive a number of calls from Chris a few weeks later in and eventually in June of 1991, she would give him an opportunity to take her out for their first date in Grand Haven. That first day spent at the beach and walking the pier was one of many, and the start to their first summer together during which they would rarely spend a day apart. Jill would continue to work as a waitress at Russ' through her Senior year, and Chris would often be found doing his college "studying" at a table in her section.

Jill graduated from Sparta High School and would attend GRCC along with Chris in the fall of 1992. One afternoon in November of 1992, Chris came to Russ' and sat in Jill's section as she worked, but this afternoon was different. There were no books for studying. Instead Chris had a ring for Jill and surprising Jill, and many in the restaurant, he asked Jill to spend the rest of her life with him as his wife. Jill joyfully accepted, and she and Chris would be married 11 months later on October 16, 1993. The barn dance following their wedding with close friends and family was a memorable event for all.

After returning from their Honeymoon in Florida, Jill and Chris lived in Comstock Park, and would finish the year attending college classes together at GRCC before moving into careers. Jill began working in the office at Fastco where her Dad worked. With her strong work ethic and organizational skills, Jill soon found herself being an integral part of implementing a new software management system at Fastco and would earn certification as a Microsoft network administrator. Jill did not love the role, but enjoyed the ability to have many conversations with her Dad. Work was not her life ambition, but her position allowed Jill and Chris to earn a living and save for a house and the family she envisioned as a young woman. Her computer work would also help connect Chris with his work at K Group Companies who they consider as their extended family.

Jill had accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior at a young age. With Chris by her side during their first years of dating and marriage, she grew in her faith as they were very involved at Kent City Baptist Church. They served as Youth Sponsors to the middle and high schoolers alongside a number of their college friends. Jill would also encourage Chris, her parents and her siblings to join her in a many of the musicals and theater presentations the church would use to share the Gospel message.

Jill and Chris would share many adventures and vacations as a young couple, visiting family and friends in various states together. Jill would even venture out with Chris and her family on a couple weeklong backpacking trips.

Eventually Jill and Chris would purchase a home on Burr Oak Street in Grand Rapids, MI. Their anticipation of starting a family was delayed and watching friends begin their families would be a tough time for both of them. Their faith in God and trust in HIS plan would stretch them and lead Jill and Chris to Romania in late October 1999 to adopt their daughter Florica. Having become instant parents in a foreign country and living in a hotel room with Florica, Jill and Chris bonded quickly with her, and saw God work in tremendous ways. They had special times getting to know their precious new little girl. Jill, Chris and Florica returned home Thanksgiving week of 1999.

Jill and Chris soon felt led to adopt again and prayed for a little brother to join Florica. Initially entering the process of adopting from the country of Guatemala, God would redirect them and provide them with a baby boy from South Korea. Jesse arrived in April of 2001 and would find himself with another sister a year later. Jill and Chris were presented with a call to pray about providing a home for a special needs baby girl from South Korea who was born early and only weighed 2 1/2 pounds. God blessed them with Syrena, and it would amaze Jill at how each of their children were perfectly picked, and would have unique things which matched others in their family.

Jill worked hard in her role as a mother. Drawing on her skills as a natural leader, and the example of her own mother, she gave of herself and homeschooled Florica, Jesse and Syrena for twenty years. They were never short of adventure as Jill utilized West Michigan as their classroom; from regular visits to Meijer Gardens, the Zoo, the public museums, and many, many trips to the local libraries. Even trips to the grocery store were learning experiences. Her philosophy of teaching was to teach the classics while directing her children to explore their interests, learn life skills, and experience the amazing Creation God had blessed them with through various adventures and vacations she planned with Chris.

Jill also shared her passion for reading with the kids. A special reward was taking them to the big library downtown. Jill kept meticulous records of the books she read and journaled her reviews of them. Her passion for reading also led her to explore writing. Jill spent time over the years researching and developing a manuscript set in the 1930s which features a character she named, Dashel Fairborn.

As their family grew, and with Church still being an integral part of their lives, Jill and Chris found it difficult to be commuting to Kent City and would eventually attend Maranatha Bible Church. Jill excelled in helping Chris with the AWANA program as well as helping with the two-week summer camps each year. Jill enjoyed being involved with her kids and leading the campers in Bible Study, crafts, and helping to teach cooking skills over a fire.

Living near Riverside Park, it became their family backyard and they could often be found walking, playing, or riding bikes there. Jill would also spend mornings praying as she would run in the park and train for her many 5K races, Riverbank Runs, and eventually pushing herself into marathons.

Live music was a favorite pastime that she enjoyed with Chris, and Jill was well-known for starting to play Christmas music as early as September. A number of recent years, she and Chris would plan family trips to Leland, their favorite quiet town in Michigan. Above all else, she sought to know the love of Jesus and enjoyed sharing her life and time with her family and close friends.

Tea was always a daily enjoyment for Jill in her life. Jill strove for a simple lifestyle. She enjoyed shopping for daily needs like fresh bread, fruits, and vegetables at Trader Joe’s where she also made many friends. Although she was content at home, Jill cherished her closest friendships and listening to others share their stories. Jill listened well and offered her compassionate ear to others whenever they were in need. She genuinely valued people and loved unconditionally.

Jill continued to give of her time and energy to teach the kids. Florica would graduate, and although very supportive and proud of Jesse, Jill cried deeply as he entered into enlistment in the Navy after his competition of High School. Jill found herself in turmoil between watching Jesse graduate Boot Camp and the global pandemic of COVID-19 converging within just a few days of each other. Jill would face a number of challenges including extended hospitalization these past few years. Some extremely tough years went by for Jill as she also helped Syrena through completion of her High School education. Jill would come to realize that approaching each new day with hope and placing her complete trust in God’s plans was what she needed. Many life challenges and changes would come for Jill, yet she would find great encouragement and support from reading her Bible, from Chris and her family, as well as in her cherished small group friends and the Women’s ministry and Bible Study Group of Revelation Pointe Church.

Nothing brought Jill greater happiness than knowing Jesus and sharing true quality time with others. May her loved ones always remember the generosity and joy she brought to many family and Church gatherings, and may her memories be cherised. Jill was always wanting to give of herself in support of her family and in spending quality time with them. Gone too soon, may her memories be a blessing to all who knew and loved her.

Jill Erin Koning, age 51 of Grand Rapids, entered into the eternal presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 20, 2025. Jill is survived by her husband, Christopher; children; Florica, Jesse, and Syrena; parents, Thomas & Pamela DeZwaan; parents-in-law Nicholas & Judy Koning; siblings; Carrie & Kizombo Kalumbula, Joseph & Caroline DeZwaan, Catrina Reed; sisters-in-law, Jennifer & Jacob Hoogendyk, Rebecca & Jamie Geysbeek; as well as many aunts, uncles and 22 nieces and nephews; and many extremely cherished friends.

The service to remember and celebrate Jill’s life will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2025, at 11 AM at Highland Hills Baptist Church, 1415 Northrup NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Friends are invited to visit with her family on Wednesday from 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home - Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE.

For those who wish, memorial contributions to educate children in India and the Democratic Republic of Congo can be made in honor of Jill and are appreciated. Please donate through YWAM Myrtle Beach (http://www.ywammyrtlebeach.com/donations--fees.html) with memo line Jill Koning. To share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com