Elizabeth Anne Kooiman

Elizabeth Anne (Bette) Kooiman was born August 5, 1919 near Magnolia, MN to William and Anna (Wiggers) Perkins. She graduated from Edgerton Public High School in 1938.

On September 26, 1941, she was united in marriage to J. A. (Bertus) Kooiman. They resided in Edgerton where Bertus was employed by VanderStoep Hardware. During the years of World War II while Bertus was serving in the European Theater, Bette, along with her sisters,  worked as a welder at Douglas Aircraft in California.

After the war, Bertus became a partner in VanderStoep Furniture. Bette became an accomplished seamstress and sewed for many people in the community. While her sons were growing up, she was a Scout leader. She was an active member of the Edgerton American Legion Auxiliary for over 70 years.  Bette also served as the church secretary at First Reformed Church for many years and was a member of Circle at the church. She was a member of the Pipestone County Hospital Auxiliary. Bette was involved, along with Bertus, in The Dutch Festival. She was part of the “Dutch Dancers” for several years and made many pies and barbecue for the church food stand.

Through the years Bette enjoyed traveling, reading, doing craft projects, and spending time with friends, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. They could always find a cookie in Grandma’s kitchen.

Bette lived on her own into her 98^th year.  She moved to Jasper Sunrise Village in May of 2017 and entered Edgebrook Care Center in February of this year. She passed away at Edgebrook on Wednesday, March 14, 2018.

She is survived by her sons, Bruce and his wife, Lois (Edgerton) and their two children, Sara (David) Brinkman and Mark (Gina) Kooiman; Barry and his wife, Marcia (Flandreau, SD) and their two children, Lea and Bobby (fiancée Debbi Jones). Great-Grandchildren Ben, Ellis, & Kate Brinkman and Siena & Luca Kooiman;  daughter-in-law, Kathy Kooiman (Pipestone); sister, Dorothey Texel of Yorba Linda, California, and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bertus ; son, Bradley; parents; brother, Gilbert; sisters, Beverly Medrud & Wilma Earl.

Bette was a member of the First Reformed Church of Edgerton.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

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