Kathleen Hemmeke

According to Kathleen Hemmeke, nothing beat a day at the beach with the rays of the sun enveloping her body like a warm and tender hug while the waves offered the sweetest serenade. Many of her most precious memories were made there, watching her children and grandchildren playing in the sand and splashing in the waves while she lost herself between the pages of her latest book. Nicknamed Grandma Poof by her granddaughter, Kathy was one who always liked to look her best with her nails and hair done just so. She was a hard worker throughout her life, yet it was her family that held the most prominent place in her heart. Kathy leaves behind countless memories that will remain near and dear to the hearts of those who treasured her. The early forties were a trying time in America as countless young men served overseas during WWII while the women who remained stateside stepped into many of the roles their men left behind while awaiting their safe return. Rationing on common goods such as coffee, rubber, food, and gas was simply a way of life, and victory gardens were planted in order to lessen the burden on the nations food supply. It was during this trying time that Eugene and Ann (Sluka) Middag welcomed their daughter, Kathleen Ann, into their hearts and home on July 31, 1942. Born in Grand Haven, Michigan, Kathy was raised in the family home on Marion Street in downtown Grand Haven. She was joined in her family by her younger sister, Virginia, who was born into their family when Kathy was five. In many ways, Kathy enjoyed a childhood that was typical for the youth of this generation. Both of her parents worked at the local tannery. Life was forever changed for Kathy when she met the young man with whom she would establish a family. She was still in high school when she met Gary Hudd who was a few years older than she was. After dating for some time, Kathy left high school to become Mrs. Gary Hudd when she was just 16. Her husband was in the Marines and was stationed in California, so she moved there to join him. Not long after, they were blessed with the birth of their son, Gary Charles, in 1960. When her husbands tour of duty was fulfilled, the family of three moved back to Grand Haven where they settled into a house on Coleman Street. With the birth of their son Greg in 1962, their family was complete. In addition to her duties at home, Kathy worked as a secretary for a large construction company in town. Although her marriage to Gary ended in divorce, she was forever grateful for the sons they shared. A new and exciting journey was in store for Kathy when she met a man by the name of Ron Hemmeke. After falling in love, the couple was married in March of 1966. Their daughter, Ronna, was born in April of 1967, and their family eventually settled in West Olive. Kathy worked as a secretary for T Construction who was building the nearby Consumers Power Campbell Plant between Holland and Grand Haven. Ron also worked for T as a union carpenter. Their work there took them to the other side of the state for a few years and when they returned to western Michigan, they purchased a place on Middle Lake in Twin Lake. Kathy worked as a secretary for other businesses, too, including Board of Light and Power in Grand Haven, Brunswick, and finally, McCroskey Law Office in Muskegon where she worked as a legal secretary until she retired. Although Kathy worked outside of the home, there were always plenty of family times as well. They liked to go camping and canoeing together, often at Sandy Pines or up in Manistee. Since she loved the sun, sand, and water, Kathy regularly took her children to the beach where she established quite the golden suntan. She and Ron regularly traveled, often to visit his family. Their other destinations included places such as London, Paris, and Cape Cod, as well as family trips to Yellowstone and other national parks. Throughout her life, family was of the greatest importance to Kathy. She was very close to her mother and sister and for years, the three girls often gathered for lunch and bowled on a league together. When grandchildren arrived, Kathy was overjoyed and loved spending time with her grandchildren as often as she could. Of course there were plenty of visits to the beach with her grandchildren no matter where they were living. Kathys granddaughter, Jamie, said of her grandmother that she was full of fabulousity and called her Grandma Poof because of her rather full hairstyle. When her marriage ended in divorce after 35 years, Kathy devoted even more time to her grandchildren. She volunteered at their schools and attended all of their school and sporting events. In 2007, Kathy moved back to Grand Haven, just a few blocks from her childhood home in order to be closer to her family. Life was not without challenge for Kathy. She suffered with issues with her lungs for years. She had emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), but she never let her health challenges slow her down much. This past spring, years of struggles with her health finally caused her body to give out over the following few months. Kathleen Hemmeke will be warmly remembered in so many ways. She was always decked out in the latest fashions and looked just so before leaving the house. Kathy was strong willed at times and a frequent winner at the family poker games. Kathy knew what she wanted and always found a way to get it as she could accomplish anything she put her mind to. A loving mother and a doting grandmother, Kathy treasured her family above all else. She will be dearly missed by all those she leaves behind. Kathleen A. Hemmeke died on Thursday, August 19, 2010. Kathys family includes her daughter, Ronna (Michael) Leeuw of Holland; sons, Gary "Chuck" (Tammy) Hudd of Grand Haven; Greg Hudd of Grand Haven; grandchildren, Jamie Leeuw, Breanna Leeuw, Jenna (Matt) Fuller, Leigha Hudd, Lauren Hudd; great-grandchild, Matthew Fuller; sister, Virginia Middag. Services will be held on Monday, August 23, 2010, 1:00 p.m. at Clock Chapel - Grand Haven with Rev. Steve Deur officiating. Interment at Lake Forest Cemetery. Visit with Kathys family and friends on Sunday, 2-5 p.m. at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Grand Haven location Grand Haven, MI. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.