Dolores Koopmans

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE OF LOCATION FOR SERVICE 

Dolores J. Koopmans, age 90, precious and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and  great-grandmother, went to be with her Lord on Wednesday, September 11, 2024.  Dolores was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on July 8, 1934, the middle of three  children to William and Seraphine (Malinski) Holmes. She was married to her beloved, now deceased, husband and best friend, Kenneth W. Koopmans, for 70 years. In addition  to her husband, Dolores was preceded in death by her cherished daughter, Jill D. Dayton, and son, Jack T. Koopmans; her parents; her sister, Linda Dobre; and her brother, Ronald  Holmes. She is survived by her two remaining and cherished children, daughter, Elissa  Koopmans Schwartz of Grandville, Michigan, and son, Scott Koopmans (Dominique) of  Los Gatos, California; her son-in-law, Dr. Brian D. Dayton (Kim) of Ingleside, Illinois;  her precious grandchildren, Stephanie Schwartz, Amanda Nehring (Jonathan), Julianna  Chen (Will), Jared Schwartz (Risa), Spencer Koopmans (Cassy), Emily Dayton, Danielle  Roedl (Nick), and Christina Koopmans; and great-grandchildren, Lilly Nehring, Andrew  Nehring, and Everett Chen; as well as many nieces and nephews, and innumerable endearing and steadfast friends. Dolores was a graduate of Union High School’s class of  1952, where she participated in school plays, was a member of the dance team known as  the “Frolliettes,” worked in the school office and bookstore, and met Ken in their 9th grade English class. She then attended Grand Rapids Junior College. Prior to starting a  family, she worked as a secretary for several companies, including WZZM, Knape & Vogt, and the Grand Rapids Herald. After having four children, she served as the first full-time secretary at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, where she was also active in the choir and as a Sunday School and Weekday School teacher. Dolores was a loving, dependable,  hardworking, tenacious, and selfless person. She had a ready smile for strangers and  friends alike, and was a Christian witness in her care and outreach for others. Her helpful  hands prepared delicious meals for her family and she sewed tirelessly for others,  including clothes for her children and grandchildren, and any Halloween costume a  grandchild wanted. She knitted hats for newborn babies and prayer shawls for the sick  and bereaved. She handcrafted home décor projects for her home with Ken and the  homes of her children, and made quilts to cover family with her love and warmth. She  loved to bake, and her chocolate chip cookies and banana bread were famous and coveted  by all. Dolores had a great appreciation for all the beauty and blessings in her life. She  had a special fondness for small children, bunnies and all the feathered creatures in her  yard. Ken and Dolores enjoyed working on projects in their yard together. She will be  dearly missed by those whose lives she touched with her caring heart. The family  welcomes those of you desiring to come by for a visit on Sunday, September 22, from  5:30 – 7:30 p.m. and on Monday, September 23, from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4145 Chicago Drive SW, Grandville. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.  A luncheon will  immediately follow the service and will include shrimp, being one of Dolores’ favorite foods. The burial will be at 2:00 p.m. at Rosedale Memorial Park, 50 Lake  Michigan Dr. NW, Grand Rapids. Those who would like, may make a memorial contribution to Oakland County Foster Closet. The family would very much enjoy reading your thoughts in Dolores’ online guestbook.