Kathy Hoogewind

Kathy Hoogewind was a beautiful person to know and to love. Known for her resilience and strong-willed personality, she also had a gentle side and treated every person she met with kindness and respect. Kathy lived a driven life and held a strong passion for family. There is no doubt her special friends and loved ones will dearly miss her.

Her story began in 1944. Born Kathryn Terpstra, she was the fifth of six children. 1944 was a pivotal year in World War II, marked by major offensives like the D-Day invasion on June 6th, just weeks after her birth, which opened a Western front in France, and Soviet advances on the Eastern Front, ending the Siege of Leningrad. Her birth was a sign of hope and promise during a unique time in our nation’s history.

Growing up in the country on Fruit Ridge near 5 Mile Road, Kathy lived a typical childhood of the times. Her father was an appliance repairman, and her mother was a homemaker. At the tender age of eight years, her mother left the family, and her father became the sole provider. The children pitched in and supported one another. She was fortunate that her paternal grandparents lived next door, leading to a close-knit bond. The family attended Walker CRC, where Kathy thrived, singing in the church and working for the church radio broadcast. Kathy attended local schools and graduated with the Class of 1963 from Kenowa Hills. Her first job out of high school was as a clerk at Foremost Insurance Company in town. She and her sisters were especially close and remained so well into their adult years.

Not to be forgotten was the meeting of William Hoogewind at Walker CRC. The two of them hit it off and dated for about one year before joining in marriage on September 27, 1964. For their honeymoon, they took a train to Alaska to visit her sister, Jackie. She and Bill settled in Coopersville, where they raised four wonderful children, Todd, Laurie, Tami, and Leigh.

As a mom, Kathy was always very supportive. She would drop everything to help out one of her children and never pass up any opportunity to cheer them on in their many endeavors. Her generous spirit was shown by providing the entire Coopersville football team with a burrito meal! Her listening ear and encouraging words always meant the most to her children. She enjoyed gardening and canning goods from their two and a half acre garden each season. As a family, they enjoyed camping, weekends at Newaygo State Park, and an annual trip to Cedar Point. She and Bill enjoyed close social interactions with friendships and family for many years. After twenty-two years, their marriage ended. Kathy went to work to support her kids, even at times, with three jobs to make ends meet. There simply wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her family.

Kathy lived a life of simple pleasures. She looked forward to annual visits with her sisters at her sister Nancy’s place in Paradise, Michigan. They enjoyed fishing, s'mores, and catching up. They also loved to gather to bake for the holidays and were always there for one another. Her favorite moments were always spending time with the extended family at Christmas. As much as she loved motherhood, Kathy was thrilled to be a grandma! She loved her grandkids and great-grandkids. She enjoyed providing them with special memories, such as Easter egg hunts and Fourth of July get-togethers. As they grew, so did their close relationship. Kathy treasured getting to know about their interests as well as sharing some of her personal stories with them along the way. She had a very loving and approachable personality, which they cherished.

When it came to her faith, Kathy was quiet and personal. She served her church community through many acts of sacrifice and great love over the years. A highlight was working in the kitchen at Remembrance Church, helping with dinners or luncheons, as well as outreach projects like packing lunches and sewingor quilting. Kathy always felt rewarded when she was able to give her time and resources independently. Nothing brought her greater joy than watching his family grow. Described as caring and loving, Kathy leaves behind a legacy of living life to the fullest. May her loved ones never doubt the immense love she held in her heart for each one of them, and may her memories be eternal.

Kathryn Ann Hoogewind, 81, was welcomed to her heavenly home on January 2, 2026. Kathy was born May 19, 1944, in Grand Rapids, to the late John and Neoma (Mark) Terpstra. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Royce Terpstra, and her sisters, Shirley Holtrop, Sharon Zahm, Jacquelyn O’Mealey, and Nancy Wiersma. Kathy was a longtime member of Remembrance Church, where she served in many ministries throughout the years. In her working years, she was a valued employee at Wirthland Worldwide, Belden Brick, and Michigan Bulb. Kathy was fond of sewing, quilting, and baking, but her greatest joy was found in being a mom, grandma, sister, aunt, and friend. She is survived by her children, Todd (Lisa) Hoogewind, Laurie (Jared) Bradley, Tami Hoogewind, Leigh (Jeff) Burke; grandchildren, Hayley Hoogewind, Hunter (Kris) McKee, Brittany (Rudy) Myers, Tricia Mead, T.J. (Skyler) Mead, Meghan (Josh) Parks, Drake Bradley, Daisy (Hunter) Gunderson, Lydia Burke, Lauren Burke, Landree Burke; great grandchildren, Ashton, Kolton, Kinzlee, Knox, Jayce, Jameson, Ellisyn, Everett, Maezie, and Lauralee. Kathy is also survived by her sister-in-law, Dee Terpstra, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at 11 AM at Remembrance Church, 4575 Remembrance Rd NW. Friends may visit with Kathy’s family on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Drive NW, and beginning at 10 AM Thursday at the church. Private interment will be in Rosedale Memorial Park. The family would like to extend thanks to Hospice of Michigan for the compassionate care they provided Kathy during her last days. Memorials are suggested to Hospice of Michigan. To leave a memory or sign the guestbook, please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.