Alida Margaretha (DeJong) Koelewyn

Our beloved Mother/Ma/Oma/Opoe, Alida Margaretha Koelewyn (nee DeJong), Age 94, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Born on April 9, 1931 in Zaandam, Netherlands, she was the daughter of Jacob DeJong and Antje DeJong(nee Mooij).

She was the caring matriarch of our family that loved us without limit and was welcoming to all friends. She was a devoted wife, mother, and Oma, known for her kindness, tasty banket squares, potato salad and annual counted cross-stitched Christmas Cards. She survived WW2 in occupied Netherlands and finding love with her husband afterwards. She doggedly made efforts for over 4 years to obtain immigration papers to relocate the family to Grand Rapids from the Netherlands following her brother and parents to Grand Rapids.  Her quiet strength helped the family thrive and succeed in our home here and becoming US citizens as soon as possible.

Married to Hendrikus Johannes Koelewyn for over 50 years until his passing 18 years ago. She is survived by her children, Arie Koelewyn(Kate Corby), Henry Koelewyn(Wendy Koelewyn), Joan Hayes(Robert Hayes), and Lyda Wilcox; her cherished grandchildren, Andrew, Ruth, Abigail, Stephanie, Stacie, Jakob, Hannah, Allie, Nathan, Joanna and Michael, and 10 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Jan DeJong and sister Ank Haxe.

No funeral service per our Mother’s request.

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