Dorothy (Swem) Hoogterp

(Nee Swem) Dorothy Hoogterp, aged 90, died Tuesday, July 3, 2007 at Metro Health Hospital in Grand Rapids, surrounded by family and friends. Mrs. Hoogterp was a registered nurse, a worker for the rights of all people, a peace activist, a poet, and mother of 13 children, all of whom survive her. She was born October 21, 1916 in Tawas City, Michigan. She graduated from Creston High School at age 16, and received her nursing diploma from St. Mary's Hospital School of Nursing. Later in life, she attended Grand Valley State University's Thomas Jefferson College, where she earned a bachelor's degree. She loved swimming in Lake Michigan, reading and writing books, visiting her daughters and granddaughters in southern California, attending the Wheatland Music Festival, and hosting an extended family reunion at her cabin in the Upper Peninsula woods near Gould City. She was active in the civil rights struggle of the 1960s, and became an advocate for the rights of the poor, gay people, prison inmates, students, the mentally ill, and women. Her relationship with God was an important part of her life. She converted to Catholicism as a teenager, and also was an active member of St. Luke AME Zion church in Grand Rapids, and Gould City Community Church. As a nurse, Mrs. Hoogterp was employed at Stanwood Memorial Hospital, Grand Rapids Osteopathic (now Metro Health) Hospital, The Grand Rapids and Kent County health departments, Kent-CAP, the psychiatric unit of Riverside Correctional Facility in Ionia, and Applewood Manor nursing home in the Upper Peninsula. As a community activist in the 1970s she was instrumental in founding a free medical clinic in the Franklin-Hall Complex in Grand Rapids. She lived for many years on Paris Avenue in Grand Rapids' Heritage Hill district, and in later life was also a resident of Lansing and Gould City. At the time of her death she was a resident of Northview Manor assisted living home. She was preceded in death by her parents, Boyd R. and Daisy Drew Swem; her husband, Peter Hoogterp; her brothers, Boyd F. and Donald Swem; in-laws, the Rev. William Hoogterp, Ann and Earl Slade, Betty and Ike Melinn, Bernard and Frances Hoogterp, Joseph Hoogterp, the Rev. M. James Hoogterp, and the Rev. John Hoogterp. Also passing before her were three grandchildren, Jenny Hoogterp, Israel Huey and Karl Loveland; and son-in-law, Larry Gritter. Among the many loved ones who survive are sisters-in-law, Evelyn Swem and Virginia Hoogterp; her children, Joan Loveland, Ruth Ashley, Terry (John) Foley, Frank (Betty) Hoogterp, Martin (Barb) Hoogterp, Tom (Kathy) Hoogterp, Edward (Millie) Hoogterp, Mary (Jim Brewer) Hoogterp, Angie (Bobbie Rosencrans) Hoogterp; Sue Gritter, Sara (Mike) Yob, Barbara Rowe and Daniel (Helena) Hoogterp; son-in-law, Bill Rowe; and daughter-in-law, Linda Hoogterp. She leaves 21 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; numerous nephews; and nieces; and a score or more of friends and relatives who were informally adopted into her extended family. The family will gather to greet family and friends at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 1140 Muskegon, N.W. on Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. with a Rosary service at 8 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be offered Friday morning 11 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Church, 224 Carrier St. N.E., Rev. Bernard G. Rooney, C.Ss.R., presiding with visitation one hour prior to the service. In accordance with her wishes, Mrs. Hoogterp's body has been donated to the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the charity of ones choice. O'Brien Eggebeen Gerst