Gayle Hoogstraten

Gayle Hoogstraten, 90, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully and entered into eternity on Saturday, August 2, 2025. A lifelong advocate for the arts, Gayle was a former art teacher in the Schoolcraft and Portage Public Schools and later served as Executive Director of the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo. Her passion for creativity and community left a lasting impact on countless students and colleagues throughout her career.

Gayle also had a deep love for gardening. As a certified Master Gardener, she enjoyed volunteering in the program and found great joy in tending her flower beds and home landscape-what she fondly called her "dirt therapy."

Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, Gayle was the oldest of three children of Conrad and Leona (Nason) Gabriel. She was the beloved wife of 55 years to Garrett Hoogstraten, and a loving mother to Lori Bultinck (Paul), Kirk Becker, and Pamela Foster (Rick). She was also a devoted stepmother to Susie Nowak (Larry), Dara Heidema (Fred), and the late Doug Hoogstraten (Margo), and a cherished grandmother to Fritz Heidema (Amanda), Sarah Caffery (Brad), Shelby DeKoekkock (Ken), Mary Jo Beebe (Joe), Josh, Jacob, Gabe, Amelia, Archie, Matt, Mike, Dreah, and Raden.

Gayle and Garrett built their dream home on 11 private, wooded acres on Gourdneck Lake in Portage, MI, where they spent 45 wonderful years together before moving to Grand Rapids in 2022 to be closer to family.

Gayle will be remembered for her warmth, strength, and dedication to her family and the arts. She brought beauty into every space she touched and held her family together through life's many seasons. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped and the love she gave so freely.

A private family service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo or a local arts education program of your choice.