Kerry Robleske

Kerry Robleske was a beautiful person through and through. She had genuine compassion for people and her easy-going personality made nearly everyone feel like they had known her for years. She always wore a smile on her face that uplifted others. Kerry leaves behind a wonderful legacy of living life to the fullest. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Kerry’s life begins during a time in our nation’s history known for the launch of the space shuttle program, the introduction of digital watches, and the first hand-held scientific calculator. The Volkswagen Beetle became the most popular car ever sold and Atari kicked off the first generation of video games with the release of PONG. While most Americans were focused on the results of the Watergate scandal, Eric and Elaine (Platschore) Robleske welcomed home their newborn daughter, Kerry on September 25, 1972, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her birth brought much happiness into the family home.

Kerry’s life began with challenges from the beginning. The doctors told her parents that Kerry would likely never leave the hospital and would probably never be able to walk or talk. However, Kerry was loved beyond measure and had a fierce sense of independence. She took her first steps at the age of four years old and began speaking a few years later. Despite her countless surgeries, Kerry was always positive and happy. She accepted each day with a warm heart and a fresh smile. Joined by her younger brother, Scott, the two of them formed a special bond. Scott was always proud of his older sister. His friends would always be sure to greet her when coming or going as well. Kerry was always a part of every activity in his life and the family home.

Social and engaging, Kerry thrived at the Christian Learning Center. She spent her days there until she was in her mid-twenties. She loved the interactions with others as well as the staff and learning the tasks for daily living. From a young age, it was evident that Kerry loved music. Her mother often played the piano in the morning and Kerry would sing along before leaving the house for school. As a result, she enjoyed singing in the choir at her school for many years. During these growing years, the family enjoyed spending their summers camping at the Conference Grounds near Grand Haven where Kerry volunteered. Everywhere she went, she made friends quickly and was seemingly known by all!

Back at home, Kerry required a variety of aides to come in and support her. They helped her with crafts, going out to lunch, taking her on shopping trips including her favorite stop to Goodwill, doing puzzles, or playing games together. She enjoyed the connections she made over the years. Although she had her limitations, her time was always spent doing the things she loved. Always compassionate, for many years, each and every week, she made cards and would mail them to the shut-ins from her church. Kerry also enjoyed painting birdhouses and entertaining the parakeets she had over the years. She also adored her dog, Joey, and more recently her dog, Teddy. Scrapbooking was a favorite pastime. She loved reminiscing about special memories as she crafted each page in her books. Kerry enjoyed keeping herself active and especially enjoyed the company of her fellow aides over the years.

Recently, Kerry moved to David’s House which was clearly an answer to faithful prayer. David’s House offered her many new rich and wonderful opportunities. Her family was relieved to find that she thrived in her new home. She loved the people and the activities as well as her new outlook on life. Always caring and kind, people were naturally drawn to her. She was making bonds with many in her new surroundings. She loved the time she spent there including sharing her favorite meals of pizza and pasta with a glass of chocolate milk! Her presence was always larger than life. Kerry would rarely go anywhere in the community without someone recognizing her! It warmed the hearts of her family to know that Kerry had found such a wonderful community at David’s House in her last years of life. Sadly, she took sick and in just six days she passed away in the hospital. Her family finds great comfort in knowing that she is with her Heavenly Father. May they always feel her warm presence whenever they are gathered together and celebrate the goodness that she brought to their lives.

Kerry Ann Robleske, age 50, passed away on December 21, 2022. She was preceded in death by her father, Eric Robleske; and her grandparents, James and Jessie Platschore. Kerry is survived by her mother, Elaine Robleske; her brother, Scott; Aunt Marilyn and Uncle John Fry, Uncle Jack and Aunt Kaye Platschore; Aunt Cheryl Robleske; Uncles Barry and Patrick Robleske; Cousins Kevin Fry and Kim Fry; her loving family at Willow Tree Lodge (David’s House Ministries); special Aunt Donna Rogers and the many friends and family God blessed her with her entire life.

Most never saw Kerry without a smile on her face even when she was enduring many of the difficult times of medical problems or surgeries. We all loved her dearly but now can be thankful that she is with Jesus who she loved and sang about when she attended the Christian Learning Center and participated in their choir. She will forever be remembered and loved by so many.

We will always be thankful she found a home with the other ladies she shared a home with at Willow Tree and to the staff that treated her with such respect as well as lots of love.

The service to remember and celebrate Kerry’s life will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2022, at 11 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, 1833 Plainfield Ave NE. Friends are invited to visit with her family beginning at 10 AM. Interment in Fairplains Cemetery. Please consider donations to David’s House Ministries in memory of Kerry. To share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com