Ila Mae Keegstra

KEEGSTRA - Ila Mae Keegstra, aged 88, of Traverse City, passed away Sunday, April 11, 2010 at Munson Hospice House. She was born on December 16, 1921, the daughter of the late Robert and Mary (Thompson) Van Laan of the rural Grand Rapids area. On December 24, 1943 she married Gerben J. Keegstra, her loving husband of 58 years, who preceded her in death on September 16, 2001. Ila was a registered nurse and worked at Munson Medical Center for many years. Following her retirement in 1980, she worked for several years as a Hospice volunteer. She enjoyed knitting, quilting, golfing and watching Detroit Tiger baseball. She was a member of Faith Reformed Church since 1960, when she and her family moved to Traverse City from the Grand Rapids area. At Faith Church she was a member of a number of groups, most recently the "Young at Heart group". Ila was a devoted mother and grandmother who loved helping her family as well as others. She is survived by her children, Kenneth (Sue) Keegstra of Okemos, Mary E. Keyes of Traverse City, Philip (Bernadette) Keegstra of Grand Rapids; daughter-in-law, Vickie Keegstra of Traverse City; sister, Grace Curtis of Grand Rapids; sister-in-law, Jane Van Laan of Dutton; seven grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Ila was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Gerben, and brother Robert "Earl" Van Laan. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Reformed Church followed by a reception in the social hall. Memorial contributions in honor of Ila may be directed to Faith Reformed Church or Munson Hospice House. Please visit Ila's online guest book at: www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to share your thoughts and memories with the family. The family is being served by Reynolds Jonkhoff Funeral Home.