Josie Windemuller

Josie Windemuller was a compassionate and caring wife, mother, and grandmother. She selflessly gave much of her time and resources to the family she so loved. Her unconditional love and joyful presence will be deeply missed by her many special friends and loved ones.

1934 saw the turning point in the Great Depression in America, with unemployment decreasing. Born during one of the most severe droughts in our nation’s history, Gerard and Hattie [Demots] Mesman were elated to welcome home their newborn daughter, Josephine, on February 27th in Edgerton, Minnesota. Her birth brought much happiness to her large family.

Not to be forgotten was the meeting of Ed Windemuller, who would change the course of her life forever. They were set up on a blind date by Ed’s sister, Kaye. Their memorable story began on a trip to Chicago to see a show. During the drive there and back, the two of them shared stories and found they had plenty in common. Ed’s family was fond of Josie, and after dating for a couple of years, he proposed. Faith Protestant Reformed Church was the setting for their hot summer wedding on August 9, 1957. After spending their wedding night in Rogers City, the happy couple took the ferry to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and spent their honeymoon in beautiful Copper Harbor. Returning to a small trailer on Ed’s parents’ property, they searched for their first home. After a week, they found luck on 306 Maplelawn Street SW, in Wyoming, which they called home for eight years. Ed and Josie started their family there, which eventually grew to include three wonderful daughters.

As a mother, Josie leaned on her instincts. She loved to dote on her children in their younger years, and most days, they remember her singing a special Broadway song, A Bushel and A Peck. Josie balanced her time in the classroom as an elementary teacher with her role as a mother. She started her teaching years in Edgerton and landed at Cutlerville during their time in the greater Grand Rapids area. Her kids were lucky to have her home in the summer to take them to the local parks and Lake Michigan beaches. Later, she served as the librarian at Jenison Christian School in Jenison, Michigan.

Retirement afforded Josie and Ed time for their favorite activities. They both loved to travel and took frequent trips to Texas to visit family, along with many other destinations. Josie picked up a position as the manager of the electronics department at Target in Jenison to supplement their travel funds. She was always ready for an adventure! Some of her favorite things to do were to visit the local museums and zoos around town. Josie enjoyed exploring the beautiful grounds of Frederik Meijer Gardens as well as attending their outdoor concerts. She never passed up an invite to see a Whitecaps baseball game or a play at the Civic Theater. Her love for learning never wavered. If there was a placard or sign to read at any venue, it piqued her curiosity. She and Ed also spent many years participating in the community plays with the Jenison Christian Mothers Club. There was never a dull moment as she loved being social and outgoing.

In addition to keeping her home tidy and her social calendar full, Josie loved interacting with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Active and playful, she loved to bounce them on her knees, tell them stories, and sing to them. She loved asking them to play board games in their growing years. She would mention not having learned the game, yet beat them every time! As they grew, she would share her wisdom and beauty secrets. When it came to laundry, for example, she knew how to get out every type of stain! No matter how odd the treatment sounded, the stain came out ninety percent of the time! Her children and grandchildren even went to the extent of mailing her their stained clothing to work her magic on! There simply wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her family.

Josie taught them the values of family time as well as how to take care of one another. Thoughtful and caring, she made every effort to call her loved ones on their birthday and sing to them. Nothing brought her greater joy than to lift the spirits of others, whether it was through story, song, or simply listening. She had a special knack for making others feel special, as she was always engaged and invested in any conversation. Josie always kept her family in her daily prayers. Her family often counted on her prayers whenever they needed comfort or support over the years.

Vista Springs Riverside Gardens (now Cortland) is where Josie spent her final years. She made many friends, excelled at Bingo, and enjoyed craft time. She kept a pulse on everything that was happening and always made the new residents feel welcome. Described as generous, kind, and loving, Josie leaves behind a rich legacy of living her life to the fullest. May her family lean on the many beautiful memories she leaves behind, and may they find comfort in knowing they were loved beyond measure.

Josephine “Josie” H. Windemuller, age 91, went to live with Jesus on Monday, April 28, 2025. Josie had been an active member at Hillcrest Christian Reformed Church for many years. Along with her parents, Josie is preceded in death by her husband of 62 years, Everett “Ed” Windemuller, who passed away in 2019. She is also preceded in death by all of her eight brothers and sisters.

Josie is survived by her three daughters, Debra Thompson, Sheri (Bill) Evans and Karen Windemuller as well as by her grandchildren, Jonathan (Paola) Thompson, Kai Lynn (Jon) Davis, Mensah (Bianca) Thompson, Jessica Bustraan and fiance, Keith Truskoski, Stephanie (Brent) DeKryger, Heather (Rolando) Chapa, Emily Westerhof and Jacob Westerhof and great-grandchildren; Ellie and James DeKryger, Lucas and Levi Thompson, Sage Davis and Charles Chapa and as well as by inlaws, Kaye and Hubert De Wolf and Annette Gebben and dear friend, Sharon Templar. Also surviving are several special nieces and nephews.