Katherine Mae (Baas) Olthoff

Katherine Mae Olthoff, age 87, of Spring Lake, MI, passed away on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at Mercy Hospital. She was born on June 8, 1933 in Pease, Minnesota to the late Dick and Hermina (Dykstra) Baas.

Kathy spent her childhood in Pease, attending Pease Christian School and Milaca High School. She then enrolled in nursing school in Chicago, IL and met Kenneth E. Olthoff while working as a Registered Nurse at Roseland Community Hospital. They were married in 1955 and eventually settled in Troy, MI where they were members of North Hills Christian Reformed Church. Kathy was the church organist at North Hills and also worked at the North Hills Child Care Center.

After living in Warren, OH, Ken and Kathy moved to Spring Lake, where they have lived for 28 years. Kathy attended Ferrysburg Community Church, and during the winter months, Sunlight Community Church in Port Saint Lucie, FL.

Kathy lived a vibrant, active life grounded in her deep and profound faith. She was a dedicated volunteer at “Once and Again,” was an avid and meticulous quilter, and enjoyed reading, gardening, doing crossword and jigsaw puzzles, and baking. Kathy especially loved spending time and playing with her precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren and hosting family and friends in her home. Everyone who knew her will continue to treasure her generous spirit and warm smile.

Kathy will be lovingly remembered and missed by her husband of 65 years, Kenneth; her two sons, James (Linda) Olthoff of Holland, MI and Stephen Olthoff of Spring Lake, MI; her daughter, Kim Olthoff (David Van Houten) of Merion Station, PA; her six grandchildren: Jamie (Josh) Reynolds, Jennifer (Becky) Olthoff, Peter (Christine) Olthoff, Ryan Olthoff (Lauren Merz) and Lucas and Jacob Van Houten; six great-grandchildren: Will, Evie, Nora, and Silas Reynolds; and Elijah and Ezra Olthoff; her sister, Sylvia (Richard) Wevers of Grand Rapids, MI; her brother, Owen (Eileen) Baas of Stuart, FL; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

Family and close friends are invited to a Memorial Service for Kathy at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at Ferrysburg Community Church with Pastor Nate Visker officiating. Masks and Social Distancing will be required.

For those unable to attend, the service will also be available for online viewing at https://youtu.be/mtYPGFdi9o0.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Pease Christian Community School, where Kathy was a student,  or Rehoboth Christian School, which was always close to Kathy’s heart.

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