Mary Ellen VanOostendorp

VanOostendorp, Mary Ellen Mary Ellen VanOostendorp (Cook) went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 26, 2014 after her hard fought battle against cancer. She was born on July 5, 1955 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. By her side when she passed was her loving husband of 37 years, Jack (John IV); her two children, John V (Sarah) and Paula (Tyson) Hoekstra; her grandchild, Caleb, soon to be newborn grandbaby; sister, Beverly (David) Kooiman; and niece and nephew Abbey and Nick Kooiman. She is also survived by her father, Franklin Cook; her mother-in-law, Gertrude VanOostendorp; her brother-in-law, Doug VanOostendorp; sister, Ruth Kluk; brother, Robert Cook; and many, many family and friends. In her younger days, Mary enjoyed playing softball and bowling, but her real passion was golf that came later. She was also a very devoted Michigan football fan and was not shy to hang her Michigan golf bag next to her husband's Michigan State bag. Mary also enjoyed the family vacations, especially to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Funeral services for Mary will be held Friday at 11:00 am at the Kentwood Community Church, 1200 – 60th St. SE (use the Prayer Chapel entrance). Interment in Pine Hill Cemetery.  Members of the family will receive relatives and friends at the Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Chapel (Kentwood), 4646 Kalamazoo SE Thursday 6-9 pm and at the church on Friday from 10 am until the time of the service.  The family would like to say a special thank you to everyone in the Kentwood Community Church Golf league, her co-workers at Crestwood Middle School and Kentwood Public School system, and bowling family for all the prayers, love and support you’ve shown.  In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to The Cancer Society of America, or Faith Hospice who provided great care and compassion during her last few weeks.