Thelma Kooyer Thelma Kooyer, 89, of Rudyard, died Saturday, April 18, 2009, after a lengthy illness. She was at War Memorial Hospital Long Term Care in Sault Ste. Marie.

She was born December 18, 1919, in Joppa, the seventh of eight children of Franklin Arthur and Lillian May (nee Whitaker) Cornwell.

She lived in Rudyard most of her life. She was graduated from Rudyard High School in 1938 as salutatorian of her class.

She married George Kooyer June 6, 1939, in Rudyard and they were happily married for 63 years and had five children. Mrs. Kooyer enjoyed caring for her family as a wife, mother, and grandmother.

Mrs. Kooyer was dedicated to prayer, friends said. She enjoyed teaching Sunday school and singing in the choir along with other church activities, including leading the Pioneer Girls, Awana, and young people's groups. She was a member of the Brimley Baptist Church.

She belonged to the Rudyard Senior Citizens Club, where she served as treasurer for several years. She worked for Andy Hesselink at Rudyard Electric for a few years.

Mrs. Kooyer enjoyed crocheting, cooking, and baking for her family and friends, and she made many afghans. She also loved playing games.

Mrs. Kooyer is survived by three sons and their families, Richard and Sherrill Kooyer of Billings, Montana, Donald and Anna Kooyer of Rudyard, and Daniel Kooyer of Billings; two daughters and their families, Judith and Robert McCain of Portage, and Nancy and Gary Smith of Bozeman, Montana; 13 grandchildren, Kathie Ortiz, Kristine Barthuly, Brian Kooyer, Brenda Waybrant, David Kooyer, Debra Petersen, Rob McCain, Mark McCain, Ember Kooyer, Eric Smith, Ben Smith, Ryan Smith, and Janel Ray; 28 great-grandchildren, Jesse, Jazmine, Cole, and Taryn Ortiz, Marisa, Cade, Seth, and Beau Barthuly, Riley, Devon, and Tylar Kooyer, Alicia Waybrant, Brianna Petersen, Mikayla, Olivia, and Ethan Kooyer, Darren, Madison, Kamden, Dylan, Ty, and Kylee Smith, Rusty Waybrant, Wendy McClenny, Jeremy and Alex Cutler, Sabrina Ricardo, and Ben Snodgrass; six great-greatgrandchildren, Madison Stefanski, Abbygayle Berube, Cameron Mc- Clenny, and Logan, Alexis, and Garrison Snodgrass; and one brother and his family, Vern and Beth Cornwell of Sault Ste. Marie.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, George; one grandson, James Kooyer; one great-granddaughter, Sarah Waybrant; three brothers, Glenn Cornwell, Leonard Cornwell, and Albert Cornwell, and three sisters, Stella Green, Iris Harrison, and Theresa Hesselink.

Visitation was Thursday, April 23, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., and Friday, April 24, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Reamer Galer Funeral Home in Pickford. Services will be Friday, April 24, at 2 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Daniel Knepper conducting the service. Burial will be in the North Rudyard Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brimley Baptist Church Building Fund or the War Memorial Hospital Long Term Care Activities Fund.