Joanne Ruth Cowles

Cowles, Joanne 3/28/1943 - 1/24/2021 Mesa Joanne (Jan) Ruth Cowles, Born in Akron OH. Wife, mom, grams, sister, passed away after her Lord and Savior, Jesus, called his faithful servant home. Jan suffered a heart attack in 2011 and God blessed her with 10 more years before falling ill with COVID-19 at her winter home in Mesa, AZ. Jan, who was loved by so many, and touched all who met her, spent nearly 25 years as a legal secretary for Varnum law firm, located Grand Rapids, MI, where she moved to in 1972. She continued her career as a grandma extraordinaire for the next many years as she cared daily for her children’s children. She loved all things knitting and sewing and routinely prepared enough food for an army. She actively helped with many church functions and summer Bible school over the years and her loving sprit and welcoming arms are a comfort to us all. Jan, is survived by Curtis (Curt) Cowles, her loving husband and best friend of 37 years, as well as 5 children. Holly (Jeff) Kerkstra, Heather (Stan) Bartling, David (Tricia) Keister, Jacqui Lyons, Wendy (Gary) Young. Also survived by 12 grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Damien Donley, Allison (Tyler) Troost, Tyler (Makenzie) Donley, Mitchell Kerkstra, Hannah Keister, Olivia Kerkstra, Micah Armstrong, Thomas Keister, Jack Lyons, Jillian Lyons, Veronica Young, Remy Young and great grandchildren, Charlotte Troost, Ryker Chipperfield.

A memorial service will be held at 1:00 PM Saturday July 10, 2021 at Stegenga Funeral Chapel, 1601 Post Dr. NE, Belmont, MI. Joanne’s family will greet relatives and friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Chapel of the Lakes or Gods Helping Hands, both located in Mecosta County, MI.