Carol Koetje

Carol Ann Koetje, age 87, of Jenison, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Born on September 8, 1937, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, she was the youngest of three children. ​A graduate of Grand Rapids Christian High School, Carol began her professional career at Butterworth Hospital, where she worked in Labor and Delivery; however, she soon met and married the love of her life, Al Koetje. Carol married Al on September 22, 1961, and together they settled into their home in Grandville and built a life filled with love and devotion. She was a dedicated mother to Sue, Jim, and Kathy, actively involved in their school and church activities.​ 

Carol was an active member of South Grandville CRC, an avid reader, and loved celebrating holidays. The 4th of July and Christmas were her favorites to celebrate by hosting neighbors, family and friends. She also loved traveling to Hawaii with her husband every year for many years!

Carol was preceded in death by her parents, Albert and Etta Buikema; her brother, Garry Buikema; sister, Helen (Rosema) Hutt; as well as many brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. She is survived by her deeply devoted husband of 63 years, Al Koetje; children, Sue (Tim) Tacoma, Jim (Lisa) Koetje, and Kathy VanKalker; as well as eight grandchildren: Ben (Hananiah) Tacoma, Tom (Ashley) Tacoma, Alex (Emily) Tacoma, Alan (Dana) Koetje, Anna (Aubrey) Conrad, Curtis (Anya) Koetje, Isaak and Ashlee VanKalker; 10 great-grandchildren; as well as sister-in-law, Judy Koetje, and many beloved nieces and nephews. 

A celebration of Carol's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf (Jamestown), 2371 Riley St., Hudsonville. The service will be co-officiated by Pastor Rod Galindo and Pastor Ben Tacoma. Relatives and friends may visit with the family on Saturday from 10-11 am at the funeral home prior to the service. ​The family would like to thank all of the nurses and doctors at Lemmen-Holton Interventional Radiology, the staff at Waterford Place Assisted Living, and the staff at Faith Hospice for their kindness, love, and compassion while mom was in their care. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Sunset Legacy Foundation.