Debra
Debra Kooistra
Debra J. Kooistra of Hopkins, Michigan, (formerly of Otsego), passed away Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at her home. Debra was born July 30, 1954 in Kalamazoo to James and Beverly (Crippen) Liles and had been a lifelong resident of the area. She was a 1972 graduate of Otsego High School.
On September 9, 1972 in Otsego she married Elmer “Tom” Kooistra, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Sarah (Robert) Dimond of Delton and Hayley (Ryan) Scharping of Hastings; three grandchildren, Shelbie Dimond of California, Gavin Scharping and Grady Scharping, both of Hastings; two brothers and a sister, Kenneth Liles of Portage, David Liles of Florida and Marilyn Liles of Kalamazoo; brother-in-law, William J. (Wilma) Kooistra, Jr. of Plainwell; sisters-in-law, Judith Bongers of Plainwell, Nancy (Tom) Beaver of Parchment; many nieces and nephews, including Steven Bongers of Plainwell.
In keeping with her wishes cremation has taken place. Friends may visit with her family from 4 to 8 P.M Friday evening, February 17, 2012, at the
Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego
.
Messages of condolence may be left at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Debra Kooistra
Condolence Messages
Brenda Lyles Berner and Fred Berner
February 16, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Tom, Sarah, Hayley and families, we’re so sorry for your loss. I have a lifetime of memories with Debby, she is in my heart and was always a great cousin. I’ll never forget her freckled face and big smile. Love to you all. Brenda and Fred
Reply
Richard Tewell
February 17, 2012 at 11:41 am
Tom and Family, So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. You have my deepest sympathy.
Reply
Joanne Krcatovich
February 17, 2012 at 2:47 pm
I just read of Debbie’s passing. Debbie was a good friend in school and a super sweet person and seemed to always be smiling. She will be missed by many people. My thoughts are with your family at this difficult time.
God Bless
Reply
bob cooper
February 17, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Tom and Family, Sorry to hear about your lost. I will keep you in my prayer for You and Family.
Reply
Carolyn Liles (Balling) and David Balling
February 18, 2012 at 12:11 am
To all of Debbie’s friends and family…I have a lot of fond memories of us all growing up together. As Brenda said, she did have a lot of freckles and a great big joyful smile. We all got our own lives as we grew up and lost contact with each other, as people have a habit of doing and I’m sorry for that. Debbie is a cousin that I’ll always remember. We love you Debbie and you will be missed 🙁
Love and our deepest sympathy to Tom and family.
Reply
mark & sherri bronson
February 18, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Dear Tom & Family: our sincere sorrow at Debbie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mark & Sherri Bronson
Reply
Susan Murphy
February 18, 2012 at 4:39 pm
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Kooistra family. I met Deb when she came to my door many years ago and have kept in touch over the years. We saw each other here and there and would spend quite a bit of time “catching up”. I saw Deb for the last time at Borgess last year. We talked and shared some memories. She sang praises of her girls and grandchildren and spoke of deep love for Tom. Please know that I am thinking of the family. Susan
Reply
Tom, Sara and Haley
February 18, 2012 at 6:37 pm
I just saw the obituary in the Shoppers Guide. I wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you and your familiy in this difficult time. I send my moms thoughts also. I know they were friends and she was sorry to hear she passed.
Sincerely,
Becky Wolfe
Reply
Angela Roberts
February 18, 2012 at 7:00 pm
My heartfelt sympathies go to Debbie’s family. She was one of my high school classmates whom I remember as a very sweet person. My prayers are with her family.
Reply
Wayne Holden
February 18, 2012 at 11:54 pm
The last time I saw you was graduation Day 1972 . Time goes by so fast, but I still remember you like it was yesterday.
Reply
Jim & Cathie Gray
February 19, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Tom, so sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Reply
Christy Wertz
February 19, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Tom and Family, Although I did not know Debra very long, I will always remember her fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Reply
Sandra Sincler
February 20, 2012 at 6:03 am
Tom and family i am so sorry for your loss, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. May he guide you and keep you strong.
Reply
Vicki Worden Hartleb
February 20, 2012 at 6:14 am
My heartfelt sympathies to Debbie’s family and friends. I have very fond memories of the two of us during our school years in Otsego. May all your memories be a source of comfort during this difficult time.
Reply
Dan & Sally Perrin
February 20, 2012 at 6:49 am
I remember the 19th Street Gang (Ken, Dave & Debbie) from our school days. We chatted with Deb at the 30th Class reunion 10 yrs ago, seems like yesterday. Our prayers are with her family.
Reply
Deb Redmond Mason
February 20, 2012 at 10:15 am
Tom & Family – so sorry to hear of Deb’s passing. She was so bright & cheerful whenever I saw her, and she always had a hug for me. Hold on to all the wonderful memories, she may be gone, but she will not be forgotten! God’s Blessings to all of you.
Reply
Sandra Austin
February 20, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Dearest Tom and Family
I am so very sorry to hear of Deb’s passing,she will be very missed by all that knew her.And I will miss our knitting get to gathers.You are all in my prayers.
Reply
Sherry (Zimmerman) Dufon
February 25, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Tom and family,
So sorry to hear my good high school friend Debbie. We had so many good times together in high school and after graduation. I will always remember her beautiful smile.
Sherry (Zimmerman) Dufon
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
Email
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
Your Name
*
Your Email
*
Their Name
*
Their Email
*
Message
CAPTCHA
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Δ
On September 9, 1972 in Otsego she married Elmer “Tom” Kooistra, who survives. Also surviving are two daughters, Sarah (Robert) Dimond of Delton and Hayley (Ryan) Scharping of Hastings; three grandchildren, Shelbie Dimond of California, Gavin Scharping and Grady Scharping, both of Hastings; two brothers and a sister, Kenneth Liles of Portage, David Liles of Florida and Marilyn Liles of Kalamazoo; brother-in-law, William J. (Wilma) Kooistra, Jr. of Plainwell; sisters-in-law, Judith Bongers of Plainwell, Nancy (Tom) Beaver of Parchment; many nieces and nephews, including Steven Bongers of Plainwell.
In keeping with her wishes cremation has taken place. Friends may visit with her family from 4 to 8 P.M Friday evening, February 17, 2012, at the
Winkel Funeral Home, Otsego
.
Messages of condolence may be left at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com
Offer Condolence for the family of Debra Kooistra
Condolence Messages
Brenda Lyles Berner and Fred Berner
February 16, 2012 at 10:16 pm
Tom, Sarah, Hayley and families, we’re so sorry for your loss. I have a lifetime of memories with Debby, she is in my heart and was always a great cousin. I’ll never forget her freckled face and big smile. Love to you all. Brenda and Fred
Reply
Richard Tewell
February 17, 2012 at 11:41 am
Tom and Family, So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. You have my deepest sympathy.
Reply
Joanne Krcatovich
February 17, 2012 at 2:47 pm
I just read of Debbie’s passing. Debbie was a good friend in school and a super sweet person and seemed to always be smiling. She will be missed by many people. My thoughts are with your family at this difficult time.
God Bless
Reply
bob cooper
February 17, 2012 at 7:17 pm
Tom and Family, Sorry to hear about your lost. I will keep you in my prayer for You and Family.
Reply
Carolyn Liles (Balling) and David Balling
February 18, 2012 at 12:11 am
To all of Debbie’s friends and family…I have a lot of fond memories of us all growing up together. As Brenda said, she did have a lot of freckles and a great big joyful smile. We all got our own lives as we grew up and lost contact with each other, as people have a habit of doing and I’m sorry for that. Debbie is a cousin that I’ll always remember. We love you Debbie and you will be missed 🙁
Love and our deepest sympathy to Tom and family.
Reply
mark & sherri bronson
February 18, 2012 at 2:49 pm
Dear Tom & Family: our sincere sorrow at Debbie’s passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Mark & Sherri Bronson
Reply
Susan Murphy
February 18, 2012 at 4:39 pm
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to the Kooistra family. I met Deb when she came to my door many years ago and have kept in touch over the years. We saw each other here and there and would spend quite a bit of time “catching up”. I saw Deb for the last time at Borgess last year. We talked and shared some memories. She sang praises of her girls and grandchildren and spoke of deep love for Tom. Please know that I am thinking of the family. Susan
Reply
Tom, Sara and Haley
February 18, 2012 at 6:37 pm
I just saw the obituary in the Shoppers Guide. I wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you and your familiy in this difficult time. I send my moms thoughts also. I know they were friends and she was sorry to hear she passed.
Sincerely,
Becky Wolfe
Reply
Angela Roberts
February 18, 2012 at 7:00 pm
My heartfelt sympathies go to Debbie’s family. She was one of my high school classmates whom I remember as a very sweet person. My prayers are with her family.
Reply
Wayne Holden
February 18, 2012 at 11:54 pm
The last time I saw you was graduation Day 1972 . Time goes by so fast, but I still remember you like it was yesterday.
Reply
Jim & Cathie Gray
February 19, 2012 at 10:21 pm
Tom, so sorry to hear about your loss. Our prayers are with you and the family.
Reply
Christy Wertz
February 19, 2012 at 10:48 pm
Tom and Family, Although I did not know Debra very long, I will always remember her fondly. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Reply
Sandra Sincler
February 20, 2012 at 6:03 am
Tom and family i am so sorry for your loss, keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. May he guide you and keep you strong.
Reply
Vicki Worden Hartleb
February 20, 2012 at 6:14 am
My heartfelt sympathies to Debbie’s family and friends. I have very fond memories of the two of us during our school years in Otsego. May all your memories be a source of comfort during this difficult time.
Reply
Dan & Sally Perrin
February 20, 2012 at 6:49 am
I remember the 19th Street Gang (Ken, Dave & Debbie) from our school days. We chatted with Deb at the 30th Class reunion 10 yrs ago, seems like yesterday. Our prayers are with her family.
Reply
Deb Redmond Mason
February 20, 2012 at 10:15 am
Tom & Family – so sorry to hear of Deb’s passing. She was so bright & cheerful whenever I saw her, and she always had a hug for me. Hold on to all the wonderful memories, she may be gone, but she will not be forgotten! God’s Blessings to all of you.
Reply
Sandra Austin
February 20, 2012 at 4:41 pm
Dearest Tom and Family
I am so very sorry to hear of Deb’s passing,she will be very missed by all that knew her.And I will miss our knitting get to gathers.You are all in my prayers.
Reply
Sherry (Zimmerman) Dufon
February 25, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Tom and family,
So sorry to hear my good high school friend Debbie. We had so many good times together in high school and after graduation. I will always remember her beautiful smile.
Sherry (Zimmerman) Dufon
Reply
Leave a Condolence
Cancel reply
Please share your message of condolence with the family, It will be visible to the public but your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked
*
Comment
*
Name
*
*
Δ
Obituary Notification Service
Enter your email address if you would like to be notified when a new obituary notice is posted:
Search Obituaries
How do I send a condolence
At the bottom of this page, you will find a condolence form. You will need to fill out some basic information prior to typing your message. (We will not share your e-mail address with anyone) Once you are finished, simply click the submit condolence button. The condolence will be approved before it is published to the web site.
Share This Obituary
Your Name
*
Your Email
*
Their Name
*
Their Email
*
Message
CAPTCHA
Name
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Δ
Guestbook
Visits: 7
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors