Joan H. Kok

Joan H. Kok, age 97 of Waupun, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 at the Christian Home.

A celebration service of Joan’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 22, 2012 at Emmanuel Reformed Church, 400 W Brown Street, Waupun, with Rev. Calvin J. Vande Zande officiating. Burial will follow in the Alto Cemetery.

Joan’s family will receive relatives and friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21 at Kohls Community Funeral Home, 405 W Main Street, Waupun, and at the church on Saturday from 9:30 until the hour of service.

A Memorial fund has been established for the Christian Home, 331 Bly Street, Waupun, WI 53963.

Joan Harriet Kok was born on January 25, 1915 in the town of Alto, eldest daughter of James and Mary Schouten Gysbers. On November 26, 1937 she was united in marriage to Theodore Kok. Joan farmed with her husband in the Waupun and Brandon areas, retiring and moving to the city of Waupun in 1972. They enjoyed snowmobiling, motorcycle rides, and taking trips to see family and friends. Following her husband’s death in 1973, Joan became a nursing assistant and worked for the Christian Home for 13 years. Socializing and volunteering kept her very busy through the years with 4-H, Vacation Bible School, Waupun Senior Center, and until recently, wrapping silverware at the home. She enjoyed gardening, baking, and doing crafts; always making gifts for her family or doing projects with the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Joan was a beloved wife and mother, unselfishly caring for her family. Her faith was very important to her; she participated faithfully in church activities and often demonstrated her gift of hospitality to pastors, missionaries, neighbors and friends. She was a member of Emmanuel Reformed Church.

Joan is survived by three children, Phyllis (James) Kuik, Brandon, Ronald (Joyce) Kok, Randolph, Rosemary (David) Schuurman, Meridian, MS, her daughter-in-law, Sharon Kok, IN, 13 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren, 13 great-great grandchildren, her sister, Marian Gysbers, Waupun, her sister-in-law, Eleanor Gysbers, Markesan, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ted, her son Arden, two brothers, Roger and Wilbert Gysbers, and a great-grandson, Wyatt Kok.

Joan’s family is so thankful for the loving care given to her from the staff at

the Christian Home and to Chaplain Wick and Agnesian Hospice for their

compassionate assistance with Joan’s journey to her final home.

Kohls Community Funeral Home, Waupun is serving the family.