Alice Brink ’58 Kooyers

Alice Marie Brink Kooyers, age 88, a blessing and joy to all who knew her, passed away on January 24, 2024. She was beloved by her family, kindhearted to all, and treasured by many friends and neighbors.

Alice’s faith brought her peace throughout her life. As a devoted member of Trinity Reformed Church, she loved worshipping and attending Bible studies and fellowship groups. She led a life of service, always thinking of others and providing behind-the-scenes care and support. She was an inspiring volunteer in the Trinity church kitchen, serving Tulip Time lunches, helping with church events and funerals, and helping recruit and teach additional volunteers. She loved working with children of all ages and spent many years providing her calm, reassuring presence to children and their parents, assisting in the church nursery, teaching the three-and-four year old Sunday School, and assisting with Summer Bible school.

Alice was born in Allegan on May 25, 1935, and grew up in Holland, Michigan. She enjoyed participating in tennis, volleyball, and Dutch Dance during her high school years and held a lifelong passion for sports. She began dating the love of her life, Alton Dale Kooyers, while they attended Hope College. They married on July 28, 1956 and were married for sixty-five years. They raised their four children in a loving home filled with faith, extended family and friends, lots of games, memorable road trips and camping vacations. Alice loved cooking, baking and hosting company. Delicious Sunday dinners often included up to thirty or more family members and friends. Extra guests were always warmly welcomed. Alice also gave tender care to elderly relations, faithfully assisting them for many years.

For twenty-seven years, Alice worked for Holland Public Schools as an endearing and cheerful lunch lady, and for a brief time as a teacher’s aide. She was delighted in later years to be fondly remembered by former students, who were often grown with families of their own. In their retirement, Alice and her husband Al continued to serve as volunteers, assisting with Western Seminary’s free lunch program and many church projects, including outreach. In their free time, they enjoyed spending time with family and traveling and sharing dinners with friends.

Alice was always happiest being in the midst of people. She enjoyed working puzzles and playing cards and games with family and friends and most recently, with old friends and new acquaintances at Warm Friend apartments. She loved spending time at Evergreen Commons, sharing lunches with friends and participating in exercises into her late eighties. She especially loved cheering on her grandchildren and great-grandchildren in all their events and activities.

Alice is survived by her children Duane (Karmen) Kooyers, Karen (Bob) Vandervaart, Warren  ’83 (Lori) Kooyers, and Mark (Michelle) Kooyers, eighteen grandchildren, and thirty-one great-grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Mary Louise Adams and Lorraine (Larry) Dietz, and many nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Alton Dale; her parents, Frances and John Brink; her brother, Dave Brink and sister-in-law, Carol Brink; her parents-in-law, Alton and Alverne Kooyers, aunts-in-law Esther Kooyers, Lucile Kooyers, Evelyn (Paul) Kalmink, and Agatha Lipke, and brothers-in-law, Lloyd Kooyers and Larry Adams.

Alice Marie Kooyers left a warm glow in the hearts of all who loved her. She will be deeply missed. May she rest in well-deserved peace in the arms of our loving God.