Lois Griffes ’60 Kortering

Lois Emorene (Griffes) Kortering, age 85, passed away from natural causes on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, in Tarpon Springs, Florida.

She was born on July 7, 1934 in Muskegon Heights, MI to Orlon and Olive Griffes (McDonald). She graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1952. Her rendition of “Hot Canary” on the fiddle for the Miss Muskegon Pageant was unforgettable. She worked for the CIA, then attended Hope College in Holland, MI, where she met and married Vernon Dale Kortering.

Her passion for music was everlasting. She was an accomplished violinist and a member of the West Shore Symphony Orchestra. She “finished herself” by receiving her music education degree from Hope College in 1984. She loved to entertain and poured her heart and soul into the neighborhood pool party for 28 years. Lois was unique and loved dressing the part for special occasions, holidays, and even the Somewhere in Time Festival on Mackinac Island. An avid genealogist, she verified her lineage as a Mayflower descendant.

She doted on her 5 grandchildren, and they loved her outgoing and vibrant personality. She would always tell them to “finish yourself,” which they will never forget. Lois is survived by her 3 children, Kathie Kortering, Karyn Verge, and David (Katherine) Kortering; 5 grandchildren, Alison and Owen Verge, Kyla Kortering (Christian Nijyimbere of Rwanda), Natalie Jeter, and Rachel Kortering; one great grandchild, Liam Jeaux Nijyimbere; brother, Richard Griffes, half-sister, Lynn Moody, and many nephews and nieces. She was preceded in death by: her husband, her parents, son Vernon Dale II, 2 sisters, Joan Curtice and Bonnie Bauman, and 3 brothers David, Winfield, and Edwin Griffes.