Kaley Straatsma

Kaley passed away at her home on April 12, 2014. She was born June 7, 1958 in Kalamazoo to parents, Kalex and Rosemary Smith. She was married 30 years to Bob Straatsma and was a loving and devoted mother to Katie Straatsma of Atlanta GA, Brad and Andrew Straatsma and Mike, Tommy, Matt and Dan Carter, all of Kalamazoo. She is also survived by half-brother, Don Essery of Vicksburg; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Sue and Everett Kolberg of Grand Haven, sister-in-law, Kathy Straatsma of Norton Shores and several nieces and cousins. She was preceded in passing by a sister and brother-in-law, Mariley and Steve Carter of Sterling Heights and brother-in-law, Tom Straatsma of Norton Shores. Kaley found exceptional joy in her children and was always in the bleachers or on the sidelines at cheerleading and dance team performances, baseball and soccer games, ski competitions and Special Olympics events. She had a tender heart for dogs that needed a caring home and Buddy and Lola were lovingly welcomed into her family. Kaley so enjoyed living on Crooked Lake, family boating, cookouts with neighbors, and quiet times sitting on the dock. She loved being in the summer sun and tending her herb garden. Home grown parsley was bound to show up on most any dinner plate. She delighted in discovering new recipes to "test drive" on family and friends and she cherished holiday gatherings. In earlier years, she and Bob enjoyed sailing on Lake Michigan, exploring lakeside towns and ports and snow skiing. She felt fortunate to have operated a gift basket business for many years with her best friend. She never had a "bad" day at work. More recently she assisted with special needs children at Mattawan Middle School and considered the students and wonderful staff her extended family. She looked forward to the summer months when she helped out at the Leduc Blueberries retail store. Kaley was a member of Second Reformed Church in Kalamazoo and attended Southridge Reformed. A service to celebrate Kaley's life will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, April 19, 2014, in the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th St. with Rev. Fritz Kruithoff, officiating. The family will receive friends and family at the funeral home on Friday, April 18, from 2-4 and 6-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, her family kindly suggests memorial donations to Special Olympics Kalamazoo Area 16, care of Langeland Family Funeral Homes.