Ida loved her Savior Jesus Christ, her family, and her friends. She took joy from her flower garden, especially her lavender and hydrangea plants, morning sunlight, the lake shore, the farmers’ market, Jan Mulder’s music, and going “up north” in Michigan. She was inspired by beauty and color. Mom was a thoughtful, patient, kind, frugal and wise woman, who allowed the Holy Spirit to transform her life.
Ida was born in Michigan in 1936. She attended Grand Rapids Christian High School, Calvin College, and the University of Michigan. She worked as a medical technologist in hematology at Butterworth Hospital, the Cleveland Clinic, and later Holland Hospital. Ida also worked for several years at the Tower Clock gift store in Holland, MI. She lived on the north side of Holland for her last 52 years.
Mom was most proud of being a wife and a mother; she is survived by five children and nine grandchildren: Ingrid (and Patrick) Byker (Joshua); Eric (and Diane Kopasz) Gemmen (Olivia & Pauline); Jennifer (and Jason) Krick (Willem & Katherine); Gregory (and Bianka Rubio) and Jonathan (and Erin) Gemmen (Caleb, Ruthann, Nathan & Lillian). Ida is also survived by her faithful sister, Esther Karelse.
Ida was a member of Faith Christian Reformed Church in Holland for over 50 years. She joyfully managed the church library for several years, reading many books in the process. She loved to study God’s word with Bible Study Fellowship. Ida volunteered with Lakeshore Pregnancy Center (now Positive Options) as a peer counselor and she tutored local students with Kids’ Hope for many years. Mom was also a longtime member of the Holland Garden Club.
Instead of flowers—since Mom isn’t here to enjoy them—memorial donations can be made to Positive Options (Lakeshore Pregnancy Center) (www.mypositiveoptions.org/) or Faith Hospice at Trillium Woods (https://faithhospicecare.org/donate/) where Ida was lovingly cared for her last six weeks of life on earth. The family is very grateful to the staff there.
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