Carolee Besteman

Carolee Besteman of Grand Rapids, MI passed away on Monday July 10 2017. She was born in Sunnyside, Washington to Matthew & Lorraine (Bos) Besteman. She is survived by her sisters, Maryanne Hof of Lynden WA, Judy Besteman of Chino, CA, Beula (Bill) Horak of Ferndale WA and her brother Bryan (Monica) Besteman of Puyallup WA. She loved her 4 nieces and 2 nephews as well as her 5 grandnephews and 2 grand nieces. Carolee graduated from Emmanuel School of Nursing in Portland Oregon. She spent the summer in Mexico on a short term mission experience then worked in Gallup, New Mexico for a time. She moved to Michigan in 1973 and continued living and working here spending most of her career in Public Health. She received her bachelors degree in nursing from the University of Michigan and her Master's in Nursing from Indiana Wesleyan University. Carolee was particularly interested in cross cultural Nursing. A highlight of her career was working for the World Health Organization (WHO) to eradicate polio in Bangladesh. She had a great spirit of adventure and loved to travel - taking beautiful pictures along the way. Some of her travels included trips to China, India, Japan, and Central America. Her family is grateful to her Michigan families- The Bouwman and Meyer Families "adopted" Carolee when she arrived in Michigan and considered her a sister and aunt. Her faith family at Neland Avenue CRC. loved her so well and supported her during her battle with cancer. We wish to express thanks to her oncologists and nurses at the Cancer and Hematology Centers of West Michigan, Last but not least, thanks to the staff at Faith Hospice for their tender care of Carolee. She leaves behind a host of friends and family who will greatly miss her. Memorial services will be held 2PM Saturday July 15, 2017 at The Covenant Village of the Great Lakes at 2510 Lake Michigan Drive NW Grand Rapids MI. Family will greet friends at 1 PM. Memorial contributions can be made to Faith Hospice or a charity of one's choice. Peace be to her memory. To share a photo, memory and sign the family's online guestbook please visit www.stegengafuneralchapel.com To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Carolee Besteman please visit our Sympathy Store.