Joyce Koets

With a warm smile and an adventurous spirit, Joyce Koets lived a life rich in faith, family, and friends. Embodying the principles of her faith, Joyce welcomed each moment as a gift and each person as a friend. Never one to shy from a challenge or hesitate to give her gifts and talents in service of others, Joyce was a powerful role model for living a wholehearted life. A devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Joyce will long be remembered and so very missed.

Henry and Anna (Stob) Veltman welcomed their daughter Joyce to their family on February 23, 1935, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Growing up on the northwest side of Grand Rapids, on Tamarack, Joyce enjoyed the good company of her older brother, Jay, and her younger sister, Donna. An active kid from her earliest days, Joyce rarely sat for long and was never afraid of hard work. The Veltmans attended Alpine Christian Reformed Church and enjoyed a bit of camping. When Joyce was a bit older, her parents built a cottage on Crockery Lake, where they shared many happy memories.

Joyce began her schooling at West Side Christian School, attended Grand Rapids Christian High School, and eventually Calvin College, where she earned her teaching certificate. While in School, Joyce started working at Waalkes Grocery Store on Leonard. Through the years, she made enough money that she and her brother proudly bought a car together.

While working as a cashier at the grocery store, Joyce met Marvin Koets, who was a bag boy. Instantly smitten, the pair began dating. When Marvin left home to serve in the United States Army, the couple stayed in touch through letters, and their relationship continued to grow. Upon Marvin’s safe return, the happy couple married in 1956, officially beginning their 68-year adventure.

Joyce taught 4th grade for one year before having her first child, Judy, when she chose to stay home and devote herself to her family, which grew to include two more children, Joy and Mark. The family lived in their home on Fremont Street before moving in 1968 to the longtime home they built on Baumhoff. Joyce kept the house meticulously clean and was very much a person of routine, which may have resulted from Judy requiring clear, consistent daily structures. Even meals followed a regular pattern throughout the week. She always stayed busy around the home, cleaning the pool, mowing the lawn, and enjoying keeping the weeds at bay with her weed wacker.

The family traveled a lot. With Marv driving and Joyce navigating along the way, they explored the country. One memorable trip took the family out west during the summer, traveling to California for the Young Calvinist Federation Convention, where Joyce served as a chaperone. Closer to home, Joyce’s parents’ cottage became a regular Saturday visit for the family, where kids could play with their cousins. Though she never really enjoyed swimming, she would go for rides in the boat, so long as they never got far enough out to lose sight of land.

At her core, Joyce was a servant who consciously looked for people who needed help. With a keen eye, whether at church or in her neighborhood, Joyce recognized those who needed a visit or some time, and she often brought her banana bread gift. Throughout most of Judy’s life, they were together, with Joyce showing her the way and tending to her needs. Joyce also cared for her mother as she aged as well. When her kids were young, she baked cakes as a way of helping fund the transportation for Children’s retreats, even baking and delivering them to college students with her kids in tow. She was involved with Forgotten Man Missions for several years, grading coursework and stuffing envelopes along with Judy.

Joyce’s days were always active and filled with many interests, including playing the piano, taking organ lessons, and taking additional classes at Calvin College. She also enjoyed golf and bowling. For many years, she bowled in a league with her sister.

In later years, Joyce and Marv enjoyed numerous trips worldwide, exploring special places in Israel, Alaska, and various European countries. She and Marv continued to enjoy time on their boat, which she helped keep immaculately clean.

Blessed as she transitioned to a supportive and involved grandma, Joyce relished spending time with her grandchildren, always having a treat for them and supporting them in their various activities. The pool in her backyard was a quick getaway for her children and grandchildren, where the kids swam while Marv grilled. Joyce continued to enjoy a rich social life, spending time with college friends, people from church, and other folks she connected with throughout her life.

Several years ago, Judy and Marv moved to Covenant Living, and in recent years, her mind clouded from dementia and required more care.

As we celebrate Joyce’s beautiful life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of carrying her legacy of faith, hope, and love forward. In each moment we confidently face life’s challenges, generously care for others, welcome a new friend, and create opportunities to learn, travel, and gather with loved ones, we keep Joyce’s memory alive and inspiring others as she so inspired each of us.

Joyce A. Koets, age 89, of Grand Rapids, went to her heavenly home on January 9, 2025.

She was preceded in death nearly a year to the day by her beloved husband, Marvin. She was also preceded in death by her daughter, Judy; sister, Donna Westra; and brother, Jay (Alberta) Veltman.

Joyce is survived by her children Joy (Carl) Oosterhouse of Grand Rapids and Mark (Sara) Koets of Grandville; grandchildren: Andrew (Andrea) Oosterhouse, Emily Oosterhouse, Melissa (Kip) Drewry, Michael (Vani) Koets, Jenna (Derek) VanSpronsen, Kelly (Jon) Pagan, Whitney (Christian) Faber; 11 great-grandchildren; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Tom Westra, Larry & Barb Koets, and Kathy Koets; as well as several nieces and nephews.

Joyce’s funeral service will be held at 2 PM on Monday, January 13, 2025, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, where friends may begin visiting with her family at 1 PM. Interment in Rosedale Memorial Park. For those who wish, memorial contributions to either Covenant Living of the Great Lakes Benevolent Care Fund or Reach the Forgotten Jail Ministry (formerly known as Forgotten Man Ministries) are appreciated. To read more about Joyce, to share a memory, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com