Beatrice M. Hoogewind

With ways all her own, Bea Hoogewind was beloved by all who knew and loved her. Ever loving and helpful, her warm, caring nature provided much to brighten the days of many. Although she could be a little feisty at times, there wasn’t anything Bea wouldn’t do for those she loved. Devoted to her family and dedicated to her faith, Bea lived with a nurturing spirit. Close to her heart was the family she held dear, and in them she found the greatest joy.

Born on May 2, 1925 in Wyoming, Michigan, Beatrice May “Bea” was the daughter of Bert and Mina (Cook) Bosman. A time of rapid growth in the U.S., the Chrysler auto firm was founded at a time when baseball was America’s favorite pastime. As faithful members of Calvary Undenominational Church in Grand Rapids, Bea was the youngest of six children in the Bosman household which included her older siblings, Clarence, Gerritt, Raymond, Ruth, and Harold. Bea experienced a childhood typical of her generation. Although times were lean during the years of the Great Depression, Bea and her family found refuge in their faith and one another.

Bea attended the local schools, and during her youth at the age of 16 she met her one and only, James Hoogewind on a blind date at Ramona Park on Reeds Lake. Even though Jim was four years older than Bea, together they shared a lasting faith and many hopes and dreams for the future. Bea went on to graduate from Lee High School with the Class of 1943 and her relationship with Jim continued to blossom. Following a three year courtship, the couple was blessed in marriage on November 10, 1944 which was only the beginning of many wonderful years together.

In the early years of their marriage, Bea and Jim lived in a Grandville apartment before later building a home on Whitmore. From 1955 to 2010 they lived on Richmond NW, where they would live for 55 years. During these years, Bea and Jim were blessed beyond compare with a family of their own. In 1947 Bonnie came along, followed by Jim in 1949 and Michael in 1952. Nancy was born in 1954, and Roger in 1959. Beth completed their family in1964. Bea and Jim raised their family with deep faith. As a family they attended Richmond Reformed Church until the new Remembrance Reformed Church formed. As charter members of the church, both Bea and Jim remained very active and supportive of their church home.

Bea made a wonderful home for Jim and their family. She was a great cook and baker, and she surely knew how to make a meal stretch with her large family. She was known for her delicious banana bread, chocolate chip and date cookies, and cakes. On Fridays she treated her family to Hoogie Burgers and they always looked forward to her roast beef dinners each Sunday. A good wife and mother, Bea was sure to have dinner promptly ready on Sundays after church as Jim was involved with Forgotten Man Ministry and he always headed to his ministry on Sunday afternoons. In all ways, Bea was a tremendous helpmate to her husband.

Family vacations made for memorable times on trips out west and to Florida, as well as camping throughout Michigan, especially in the Upper Peninsula. For many years Bea and her family had a roadside vegetable stand where they sold the fruits of their labor. Bea loved working in her large garden growing a variety of fresh vegetables such as peppers, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, squash, and corn. She also grew the most scrumptious raspberries, and beautiful gladiolas she often took to the homebound members of her church. Their home was never without her homegrown vegetables as her family enjoyed them all year through as Bea canned and froze much of the produce with the help of her children. She even canned pickled peaches!

Bea never hesitated in sharing her time and talents. She baked often for church events, and she was involved in Sunday school and the youth group at church, as well. An avid Detroit Tigers fan, she also watched NASCAR occasionally on TV, along with the Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Lawrence Welk, and the Grand Ole Opry. She collected Precious Moment figurines and an assortment of cookie jars, and when it came to music, she preferred country and big band music. Bea read the Grand Rapids Press from cover to cover every day and she enjoyed reading autobiographies from the library on occasion.

When her children grew to have families of their own, Bea welcomed grandchildren and great-grandchildren with open arms. She absolutely loved each and every one, and savored any time spent with them. Even as her family grew, Bea always had a way of remembering everyone’s birthdays and other special occasions.

Following Jim’s retirement, the two headed south to Florida with friends for several weeks each winter to take in the sun. They also enjoyed bus trips to Branson, Missouri and an east coast color tour along with a cruise which they enjoyed. In later years, Bea and Jim downsized and moved to Lincoln Square Senior Living before moving to Sunset Manor, their home before moving to the Christian Rest Home. When Bea’s beloved Jim passed away on September 24, 2015, her strong faith and close family sustained her. As her dementia progressively worsened over the last several months, Bea’s health also began to diminish, especially within the last month as her family remained lovingly by her side.

Bea Hoogewind was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who found her greatest joy in the family she held most dear. She lovingly yet firmly raised six children where her feisty nature was evident a time or two. With faith as her guide, Bea was a nurturing and helpful woman, ever dedicated to those entrusted to her care. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Beatrice May Hoogewind, aged 90 of Grand Rapids, passed away on Sunday, February 28, 2016 at the Christian Rest Home. She was preceded in death by her husband, James Hoogewind Sr. She is survived by her children: Bonnie (Harold) Nagelkirk, Jim (Nan) Hoogewind Jr., Michael (Cindy) Hoogewind, Nancy (Tom) Verhey, Roger (Collette) Hoogewind, Beth (James) Gilbert; 17 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren; many nieces, nephews and friends. A service to celebrate Bea’s life will be held on Friday, March 4, 11:00 AM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home–2120 Lake Michigan Dr. NW. Burial in Rosedale Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet her family at the funeral home on Thursday from 2-4 and 6-8 PM and again on Friday from 10:00 AM until the service begins at 11:00 AM. Contributions in her memory may be made to the Christian Rest Home Foundation. To read more about Bea’s life, to sign her guest book and to leave your own memory of her, please visit her web page at www.lifestorynet.com.