Marilyn Koop, 94, passed away peacefully surrounded by her children on March 22, 2022. She was born in Allendale on July 22, 1927, to Russell and Marjorie Wolbrink. She graduated from Coopersville High School and attended Hope College where she met Robert Koop. They were married in 1950.
Marilyn was a school teacher and taught primary grades in a one-room schoolhouse in Borculo. She taught until she had children and then stayed home to raise her family. She was an active member of Christ Memorial Church, volunteering on several committees there. Marilyn served the Holland community on the Junior Welfare League and was a Cub Scout leader, a Blue Bird and Camp Fire Girls leader, and a room mother for all of her children’s classes.
Marilyn lived in Holland most of her life but also spent thirty winter seasons in Naples, FL. She developed lifelong friendships there and was a beloved member of her community. She enjoyed golf and walking with friends.
Creative and clever, Marilyn liked to sew and do crafts. She sewed a lot of her children’s clothes. She shared many wonderful projects with her children and grandchildren.
Marilyn had a lovely garden in her backyard. She instilled this love of gardening in all her children. Marilyn lived her faith in a quiet and unassuming manner. She showed grace to others and was generous, kind, and compassionate to everyone. She truly lived by the words she taught, “If you can’t say anything nice about someone, don’t say anything at all.”
Marilyn was preceded in death by an infant son, Douglas Robert Koop. She is survived by her husband of 71 years, Bob; her children, Dave (Karen) Koop of Holland, Kathy (Jeff) Van Der Kolk of Holland, Kristin Koop of Williamsburg, VA, and Beth (David) Wehunt of Houston, TX; grandchildren Lisa (Matt) Huyser, Rachel (Bryan) Melhorn, Andrew Koop, Sam Klein, and Ben Koop; 5 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A funeral service will be held at 1:30 pm Friday (March 25) at Christ Memorial Church, 595 Graafschap Road.
Burial will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens.
Visitation will be 6-7:30 pm Thursday (today) (March 24) at the Dykstra Funeral – Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Holland.
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