Lois Flik

Lois Flik was a caring wife, a loving mother, and a treasured grandmother. Her sweet personality touched the hearts of many. Blessed with an abundant and loving family, Lois included each and every one of them in her daily prayers. Her wonderful collection of memories will be fondly cherished by her many special friends and family for generations to come.

Born Lois Rose, in 1928, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Dutch immigrants, Walter Wilson and Julia Boersma, her brought great hope and promise to her parents during an exciting time in our nation’s history. The 1920s saw large-scale industrial growth and significant changes in our nation’s culture, yet by the end of the decade, the fate of the stock market crash in 1929 left many struggling to find employment and enough resources to put food on the table. Raised as an only child, so much of those meager years left lasting impressions on Lois throughout her life.

Growing up at 1115 Tamarack NW in Grand Rapids, Lois was primarily raised by her mother when her father left the family when she was very young. Lois and her mother spent their holidays with their grandfather and sharing the baking of the traditional Oliebollen Dutch pastries, known as fat balls. Lois attended Stocking Elementary, Widdicomb Elementary, and Harrison Park to the eighth grade, which was common of children growing up during that time period. She had many fond memories from her childhood ice-skating at Richmond Park as well as attending church services at the Salvation Army. Later she joined the Trinity Reformed Church where she sang in the choir.

Lois had her first two children, Jim and Carol, with her first husband, Arend Kremer before later welcoming home three more children, Harold Jr., Larry, and Gary, with her second husband, Harold Cook. As a mother, there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for her children. Although she always worked outside the home, her children came first. A hard worker, she had been employed at RC Allen Company, The Grand Rapids Police Department, F. W. Wurzburg Company Department Store, and finally at Saint Mary’s Hospital. Most of her work over the years involved clerical work. Lois was fun-loving parent. Nothing seemed to ruffle her feathers and she always enjoyed sharing laughter and good jokes around the family home. When she and Harold were together, they were close friends with Lucille and George Flik. The four of them often got together. The women would make hats together while the men enjoyed fishing. Over the years their bond grew. Lois took up line dancing and many times the couples would find area places to dance. Their years of raising children together seemed to fly!

When Harold passed away as well as her friend, Lucille, it was natural that she and George were drawn together. With the children grown and out of the home, she worked on completing her GED as well as started to date George. She was immensely proud of receiving her diploma in 1984. The sincere companionship between her and George led to them joining in marriage on October 5, 1986, at the Third Reformed Church. They honeymooned in North Carolina and also visited with George’s brother and his wife who lived in the area. The happy couple settled into George’s home at 1260 Covell Road which became their forever home. Her five children blended with his four, making a total of nine children who they both loved as they were their own. Although George was a retired pressman for the Grand Rapids Press he still worked part-time at the Muskegon Chronicle. After work on the weekends, he would head up to Hamlin Lake in Ludington to meet up with Lois at their trailer in the park.

Lois and George shared many special pastimes. They enjoyed traveling and in addition to their summer jaunts to Hamlin Lake, they also vacationed to Hawaii one year taking Lois’ daughter with them. They also enjoyed camping at Grand Haven State Park as well as trips to Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee. A music lover, she and George loved to head to Scottville, Michigan and see the Scottville Clown Band. Lois also loved Rock ‘n Roll and the Big Band music of her era. Her favorite artists were Elvis Presley and Glen Miller. A nightly ritual was tuning in to watch The Lawrence Welk Show together. Lucky for George, Lois was an exceptional cook and baker. She was well known for her Rusk Cream Pie for birthdays and other special events, and also made Lemon Meringue pie for George! However, she was a chocolate lover and favored Lucille’s Heavenly pie!

She and George were both very active in the church. She enjoyed many years of singing in the choir in addition to helping out with many of the children’s activities including the Boy Scouts. When it came time for relaxation, she preferred to pick up a good Christian fiction novel. An avid reader, she’d nearly finish one and grab another before the week was over! In addition to her collection of happy moments, Lois collected many ladybug themed treasures. Her home and garden were adorned with a wide variety of the red and black spotted insect which brought a smile to her heart. Generous, kind, and compassionate, she will be greatly missed by the family she so loved. May they always remember her wisdom, guidance, and nurturing heart all the days of their lives.

Lois Rose (Cookie) Flik, aged 91, of Grand Rapids, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Sunday morning, October 27, 2019, while in the comfort of her home and in the company of her family. She was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan in the fall of 1928. Lois was preceded in death by her first husband, Arend Kremer, second husband, Harold Cook, grandson, Brian Flik, and great-granddaughter, Shanna Seeley. She is survived by her beloved husband of 33 years, George Flik and their children; Gary Cook, Larry (Sharon) Cook, Harold (Margaret) Cook, Jim Kremer, Carol Johnson, David (Amy) Flik, Susie (Lance) Bechtel, Barb (Rob) Teitsma and Kathy (Alex) DelaCruz as well as by her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Also surviving are many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. She and George were longtime, dedicated, and active members of Trinity Reformed Church. A service to celebrate Lois’s life will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2019, at 11:00 am at the Heritage Life Story Funeral Home, Alt-Shawmut Chapel with Pastor Benjamin Bruins officiating. Relatives and friends may meet her family on Saturday prior to the service beginning at 10:00 am Contributions in her memory should be directed to the Salvation Army, (1215 Fulton St. E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503). Lois’s family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Faith Hospice and nurse, Angela for the compassionate care bestowed on Lois’s behalf. To leave your own memory and to sign her guest book, visit her web page at www.heritagelifestory.com Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes.