Sarah and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Know that she is in a better place and watching over you. She will always be in your heart. I hope your sorrow will lighten and you can remember the good times.
Chris Dean (Tri)
Bonthuis, Kathy
BONTHUIS: Kathy Lynne Bonthuis, aged 55, of Byron Center, was welcomed into the arms of her Lord and Savior on Sunday, August 21, 2011. Surviving are her husband of 33 years, Tom; her children, Rachael and Scott Steenwyk, Emily and Jim Hapner, Brendan and Courtney Bonthuis, Sarah Bonthuis; her grandson, Bryan Steenwyk; her mother, Marie Doornbos; her brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Mary Doornbos; her sister, Mary Doornbos; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, James and Elinor Bonthuis; her sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Deb and Mike Burke, Susan and Randy Barnes, Pat and Dan Kremers. She was preceded in death by her father, Rev. Marvin Doornbos. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11:00am at Kelloggsville CRC, 610 52nd St. SE, Kentwood, with Rev. Bob Tigchelaar officiating. Interment Winchester Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at Matthysse-Kuiper-DeGraaf Funeral Home, (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Drive.Guestbook
Kathy Bonthuis
August 25, 2011
Tom and family So sorry, We just want you to know your all still in our prayers. We have some good campground memories . We love you all.
Wendy and Darci Gale
Wendy and Darci Gale
Dear Tom and family, We were so saddened to hear of Kathy's passing. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. She was a true child of God and will be greatly missed. It is so hard to say that final good-by. Our prayer is that God will bless you with peace
and comfort in the days that lie ahead. Love to all.
Uncle Dick and Aunt Jan
and comfort in the days that lie ahead. Love to all.
Uncle Dick and Aunt Jan
Tom and family, we are so sorry to hear about your loss. Kathy was such a blessing to us when Tim had leukemia. May God's amazing grace surround you with His amazing grace as you go thru the days ahead. We will be praying for you. In Christ's Love,
Mark and Cheryl TerHaar
Mark and Cheryl TerHaar
Tom and family, You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
Anonymous
Anonymous
Kathy was an amazing, kind hearted, generous, loving, helpful lady. She heard about my classroom needing help and despite her health issues, voluteered numerous times over a two year span. I have a very busy special education room and Kathy jumped right
in to assist the students in any way they needed. During our time together she shared much about her family. She was so proud of everyone of her children. She talked of Sarah and her mentoring a little girl at our school during her busy senior year. She talked
of Rachael and her gift of life to another person and would often consult Racheal's husband, Scott, about ways to assist in my room because he was an awesome special ed teacher in NC. She shared how excited she was to learn she would be a grandma and also
all the excitement around Brendan and Courtney's wedding. If I remember right, Emily was a talented crafter and they were doing some of that together. Kathy's faith in God was extremely strong. I had shared our family's desire to find a new church and she
insisted I try her church. I remember it was a busy Easter morning and the church was packed. We stood with our family in the back, wondering where we would sit. Up stood Kathy, waving us over. She had saved us seats in the crowded church. We were able to
sit with her and Tom and Sarah. Kathy also was a huge supporter of Legacy Christian Schools. Thanks in part to her encouragement, our daughters now attend Legacy. She was correct. It is a very special place. Sarah, I remember you helping little Meryt. Your
mom was so proud of all you did with her. I am so sorry you had to say good-bye, for now, to your mom. Tom, I remember when you would come in to mentor and Kathy was working in my room. Kathy shared how they gave you the roughest little guys, because you could
deal with them because you were a big guy. I can still see her laughing during that conversation we had. She was proud of you and your kind, generous heart. I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss Kathy and will always remember and cherish the memories of
her kindness. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Sarah Dykla
in to assist the students in any way they needed. During our time together she shared much about her family. She was so proud of everyone of her children. She talked of Sarah and her mentoring a little girl at our school during her busy senior year. She talked
of Rachael and her gift of life to another person and would often consult Racheal's husband, Scott, about ways to assist in my room because he was an awesome special ed teacher in NC. She shared how excited she was to learn she would be a grandma and also
all the excitement around Brendan and Courtney's wedding. If I remember right, Emily was a talented crafter and they were doing some of that together. Kathy's faith in God was extremely strong. I had shared our family's desire to find a new church and she
insisted I try her church. I remember it was a busy Easter morning and the church was packed. We stood with our family in the back, wondering where we would sit. Up stood Kathy, waving us over. She had saved us seats in the crowded church. We were able to
sit with her and Tom and Sarah. Kathy also was a huge supporter of Legacy Christian Schools. Thanks in part to her encouragement, our daughters now attend Legacy. She was correct. It is a very special place. Sarah, I remember you helping little Meryt. Your
mom was so proud of all you did with her. I am so sorry you had to say good-bye, for now, to your mom. Tom, I remember when you would come in to mentor and Kathy was working in my room. Kathy shared how they gave you the roughest little guys, because you could
deal with them because you were a big guy. I can still see her laughing during that conversation we had. She was proud of you and your kind, generous heart. I am so sorry for your loss. I will miss Kathy and will always remember and cherish the memories of
her kindness. I will continue to pray for you and your family.
Sarah Dykla
Tom, not sure if you remember me, but we worked together in the credit department at Old Kent Bank, back in the early 1980s. I was so sorry to read about the passing away of your wife. I remember meeting her a few times at bank gatherings and I definitely
remember when your first daughter was born. It sounds like you have four wonderful children, and a very lovoing, giving, God-loving wife. Again, I'm sorry you had to lose her. Please know that you and your family will continue to be our thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Eardley
remember when your first daughter was born. It sounds like you have four wonderful children, and a very lovoing, giving, God-loving wife. Again, I'm sorry you had to lose her. Please know that you and your family will continue to be our thoughts and prayers.
Nancy Eardley
Sarah, Tom and family: We were so sorry to hear about your loss of your mom and wife. I have such fond memories of talking to her during tennis matches and planning food for the girls. She was a real sweet heart. You are in our prayers and thoughts. God
will provide a way for peace during this tough time. She will never be forgotten. John, Laura, Andrea and David Meyering
Meyerings
will provide a way for peace during this tough time. She will never be forgotten. John, Laura, Andrea and David Meyering
Meyerings
Dear Tom and Family, We are continuing to pray for you your family as you adjust to living life on earth without Kathy. It won't be easy. The coming year will be filled with many "firsts" and we will be thinking of you in the coming months and into 2012.
We think back to the short time you were in Kalamazoo over 20 years ago and the pleasure it was getting to know your family. At the time, I think you only had Rachael and Emily. Our youngest, Rachel, was between them. I think of the dinners that we had together
in Plainwell at Arie's. I think of the times that Rachel and I hung out with Kathy and the girls at your house off Kilgore. Emily, you did a great job of updating the CarePages and I was glad to see this latest entry. Thank you for doing that for your family
and for all those who care about you. It was hard to imagine your mom being as sick as she was. We are so sorry your family had to go through those difficult times, but your updates made it so easy to pray for all of you. Our heart aches for those who do not
have the hope that we as Christians have. Leaning on Jesus is the only way to get through those rough times in life and it was very evident to all who read your updates where your faith and trust was and where your strength came from. What a testimony! Prayerfully
yours,
Jack and Sandy Dik
We think back to the short time you were in Kalamazoo over 20 years ago and the pleasure it was getting to know your family. At the time, I think you only had Rachael and Emily. Our youngest, Rachel, was between them. I think of the dinners that we had together
in Plainwell at Arie's. I think of the times that Rachel and I hung out with Kathy and the girls at your house off Kilgore. Emily, you did a great job of updating the CarePages and I was glad to see this latest entry. Thank you for doing that for your family
and for all those who care about you. It was hard to imagine your mom being as sick as she was. We are so sorry your family had to go through those difficult times, but your updates made it so easy to pray for all of you. Our heart aches for those who do not
have the hope that we as Christians have. Leaning on Jesus is the only way to get through those rough times in life and it was very evident to all who read your updates where your faith and trust was and where your strength came from. What a testimony! Prayerfully
yours,
Jack and Sandy Dik
memories at this time, and in the future...friends in Christ.
Norma and Taylor Drayton