Geraldine Kooy went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at the age of 92.
She was born near Corsica, South Dakota, to Anna (Vander Tuin) and William Likkel. She was the third child in the family of eight. She grew up in the Depression in her younger years and moved with her family to Lynden in the summer before her senior year. It was in Lynden where she met and married the love of her life, Ralph Kooy, in 1946. They moved to Alberta and farmed for ten years before returning to Lynden. Together they raised six children and owned and operated Ralph’s Floors. Gerry was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Gerry was an active member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church. She loved the Lord and loved helping at church as she could. Gerry loved taking care of the family home and raising her children and helping with her grandchildren. She leaves a legacy in her constant faith and love of family and friends. She enjoyed gardening and always had beautiful flowers in her yard. Gerry and Ralph enjoyed many years of travel with friends and family. During their travels she helped Ralph and volunteered at Wycliffe Bible Translators in Catalina, Arizona. She will always be remembered for her kind, loving, relaxed and easy-going personality. The family would like to thank the many caregivers that took care of her at home and at the Christian Health Care Center.
Geraldine will be greatly missed by her children, Barbara Bergen (Fred), Charlene Perrin, Wendell Kooy, Blaine Kooy (Ardelle), Kathy Shagren (Ken) and Leora Libolt (Joe); nine grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving is sister Carol Early, brother Fran Likkel (Jan), and sister-in-law Ruth Likkel.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Ralph; parents William and Anna Likkel; sisters Margaret Dewaard and Regina Bode; brothers Gerrit Likkel, Ellsworth Likkel and Rodney Likkel, and son-in-law Steve Perrin.
You are invited to join the family in a celebration of Geraldine’s life at a memorial service at 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, in Bethel Christian Reformed Church, 105 Liberty St., Lynden, with Pastor Steve Van Noort officiating.
Memorials in Geraldine’s honor may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, Ken and Chris Van Weerdhuizen, 7011 McCaslan Lane, Waxhaw, NC 28173.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
