Irene Rhoda

2 Corinthians 5:8 “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.”

Surrounded by her loving family, Irene Rhoda, 91, peacefully passed away on February 21, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Donald. Together they shared an enduring love that lasted 59 years.  They built a lifetime of cherished memories and together raised a family instilling in them their love for the Lord, their strong work ethic and their love of family.

Irene was also preceded by her brother, Herman Hoogewind and wife Senett; her sister, Lillian Van Houte and husband Cornelius; brother-in-law, Theodore (Ted) Rhoda and wife Norma; and nephews, Mike Rhoda and Rick Cnossen.

She was born Irene Mae Hoogewind to Tena and John Hoogewind on November 9, 1933.  She graduated from Christian High School in 1952 and just two years later was married and starting a family.  At the age of 14 she started working at the Faith, Prayer and Tract League and worked there on and off for decades.  Irene also took a job as a secretary at the Mills Paper Company where she formed many friendships that lasted a lifetime.

Irene was a devout Christian all of her life.  A woman of strong faith and conviction, and it showed in the way she lived. She was kindhearted and caring.  Her love for the Lord and her family were the most important things in her life.  She was a wonderful, supportive wife and a loving, patient mother.

She and Don spent many years camping, boating, and fishing with family and friends.  Knitting and crocheting were something she enjoyed in her spare time when she wasn’t playing Sudoku, cards, Skip-Bo, or bingo with her friends.  She also enjoyed working on crosswords, reading, and doing puzzles.  

Irene is survived by her son, David (Linda) Rhoda; daughter, Carol Kooienga; and son, Kenneth (Shelly) Rhoda; grandchildren, Heather (Jeff) Spyke, Adam (Liz) Rhoda, Eric (Michelle) Kooienga, Curtis (Ashley) Kooienga, Joel (Ashley) Kooienga, Matthew Rhoda (fiancée Alyssa Ritz), Macy Rhoda; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Monday, February 24, 2025 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home (Grandville) 4145 Chicago Dr. SW with Pastor Dan Mouw officiating. A private burial will take place at Rosedale Memorial Gardens. Relatives and friends may visit with the family Sunday, February 23, 2025 from 3-6 pm at the funeral home. An additional time of visitation will be held on Monday from 10-11 am prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Faith Hospice or Love Your Neighbor. 

Please keep the Rhoda family in your prayers.  They have lost a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother whose love knew no bounds.  It was a life well lived.  1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your worries on him, because he cares for you.”