Katherine Doezema

Katherine Doezema, 100, of Grand Rapids and formerly of Kalamazoo, died on February 9, 2024 at Raybrook Manor. Born in Grand Rapids in May 1923 to Riner and Frederika (Kwant) Doezema, she was the youngest of eight children. An inquisitive life of learning began in earnest at the former Baxter Christian School and Grand Rapids Christian High. She worked her way through Calvin College, graduating in 1944, obtained a master's degree from the University of Michigan, and continued to take university classes in the U.S. and abroad – she was also an ardent traveler – for many years. Her career as a teacher of history began at Baxter Christian and took her to Ottawa Hills High, Holland Christian High, and Central High in Kalamazoo. Katherine's interests included reading and book clubs, bridge, golf, tennis, serious conversations about big questions, and the doings of her 30 nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by brothers Charles, Lambert, William, and Edward Doezema and sisters Angeline Vander Wal, Harriet Knott, and Annette Hoeksema. A private graveside service is planned, with a celebration of her life to held in June at the family cottage. In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made, to ICCF, Inner City Christian Fellowship, 415 Martin Luther King Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49507.