Faith Ruth De Kam

Faith Ruth De Kam went to be with Jesus on November 15, 2022, after a short illness with cancer. She was 84 years old. Faith was born in Artesia, Calif., on March 11, 1938 to Reverend Gareth S. and Kathryn (Schaap) Kok. Faith grew up in Bellflower, Calif., and attended the Bellflower Christian Schools; her parents later moved to Holland, Mich., where she attended Holland Christian Schools. She moved to Edgerton, Minnesota, in 1955 and graduated from Southwest Christian High School. She attended Calvin College and Augustana College and became a teacher. She taught grades K-4 in Colton, S.D. in a 2-room schoolhouse. Faith loved teaching, and her students loved her.

Faith met Wayne De Kam in high school. They were married on Dec. 23, 1958, in Edgerton. Faith and Wayne were married 63 wonderful years. They had 4 children: Debby, Curt, Darrin, and Alissa, and 10 grandchildren: Megan and Talli ( Debby and Dan), Dayton (Curt), Kaiser, Monte, and Brooklyn (Darrin and Jody), Grant, Logan, Blake, and Dillon (Alissa and Keith). Faith also was thrilled to have 4 great-grandchildren: Noah (Kaiser and Hannah), Kaelyn (Monte and Megan), Adeline (Megan and Rayvon), and Riley (Dayton and Lizzie).

Faith loved the arts and books. She loved reading, and writing feature stories for the Enterprise and other publications. Faith was interested in people, and she knew exactly how to help others feel loved and valued. She loved working with young people and taught church catechism for many years.  She was the bulletin secretary for First Christian Reformed Church for 40 years. She was very active in church and school activities and had a great impact on those around her.

Faith loved people.  She immediately lit up any room she entered and made an impact on so many people with her fun and caring personality. 

Faith had many things that gave her joy: her family, friends, reading, teaching, praying, sharing, listening, walking, and laughing. But most of all, Faith found joy in her love for Jesus. She took every opportunity to tell others about the reason for her joy, and encouraged them to trust Jesus also.

Faith is lovingly remembered by her husband, Wayne; her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; her brothers and sisters: Jim (Linda) Kok, Gary (Shirley) Kok, Karen Timmer, Bruce (Anne) Timmer, Doug Timmer, Kay (Barry) Bosscher, and so many relatives and friends who loved her.

Faith is preceded in death by her father and mother, Gareth and Kathryn Kok, her stepmother, Ada Kok, and her brothers Sherwood (Ruth) Kok and Marve (Barb) Timmer and sister, Mary (Jay) Zwaanstra.

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