Mary Jo Goudzwaard

When reflecting on the life of Mary Jo Goudzwaard, we are reminded that happiness is not found in gaining wealth or possessions, rather it is in the relationships we nurture with our friends and loved ones that we are richly blessed. She was gracious and kindhearted, selfless and compassionate with a heart that beat to serve others first and foremost. Mary Jo loved being a wife and mother, but nothing could have prepared her for the unspeakable joy she felt in becoming a grandmother to the grandchildren she treasured more than anything else on this side of heaven. A loyal friend, she never really met a stranger as her warm and bubbly personality made her the sort of person whom everyone wanted to know. Although her life here ended too soon, Mary Jos family finds comfort in knowing that she is enjoying perfect peace in her eternal home. It seems only fitting that Mary Jos journey began during a time that was as vibrant as she was. It was the 1950s when blue jeans, poodle skirts, and coonskin hats were part of our culture while rock n roll took the music world by storm and Elvis was king. Amidst this exciting time was the year 1953 that was a year to celebrate in the lives of a young couple from Muskegon, Michigan, as they were pleased to announce the birth of their healthy baby girl on September 9th. Mary Jo was the third of four children born to her parents, Steven and Trena (Wiersema) Kratovil, and she was raised in the family home alongside her older siblings, Jean and Tom, and her younger sister, Lori. After serving in the Navy during WWII, Mary Jos father spent 36 years working at Consumers Energy while her mother worked at Teledyne Continental Motors before becoming a homemaker. The Kratovil family enjoyed staying in cabins in Bitely, Michigan, and going to get ice cream in Baldwin together. Visits to Clear Lake to see family were also favorite family times. In many ways Mary Jo was a typical young girl of the fifties and sixties. When she was younger they had horses, ducks, and chickens. Mary Jo and her sisters loved playing with the doll clothes their mother made them, and they were even known to dress the chickens up in them! As a student she attended Oakridge Elementary till eighth grade when the family moved to the Reeths Puffer school district. Mary Jo also enjoyed going roller skating. After graduating from Reeths Puffer High School in 1971, Mary Jo went on to Muskegon Community College where she became an LPN. With her education behind her, she spent some time working at Brookhaven and then Knollview. While she was busy working toward her bright future, Mary Jos personal life became very interesting after receiving a phone call from a particular young man who asked her out on a date. His name was Jim Goudzwaard, and they had gone to school together and were in the same biology class and choir. Mary Jo agreed to the date, and the rest is history as they say. With a desire to establish a life together Mary Jo and Jim were married on November 3, 1973, deeply in love. A bit later they welcomed three children, Jim in 1977, Wendy in 1980, and Kelli in 1984, into their hearts and home. They raised their bustling family in a home on Giles in North Muskegon before settling into their home on Dykstra Road. Once she became a mother Mary Jo fully immersed herself into caring for her children. She was always involved in their lives, and they did fun things together like roller skating every Saturday. There was also a big dinner on Sunday after church where they all sat down and enjoyed good food and good company. A wonderful seamstress, Mary Jo made doll clothes for her children and later for her grandchildren as well. She also made her childrens Halloween costumes and bridesmaid dresses for her daughters wedding. Mary Jos family fully appreciated her skills in the kitchen as she was forever making homemade cakes and other treats from scratch. Fridays were a day to celebrate in her home as she started the weekend off by organizing fun things like family picnics, swimming in the pond, or playing hockey on the pond during the winter months. Both Mary Jo and Jim loved taking their children on family trips to places like the Upper Peninsula, Cedar Point, Sea World, and even just day trips on the bike trail. Mary Jo especially loved the holidays every year including Easter at her parents house and Christmas Eve with her family. Making Christmas cookies with her daughters every year was a tradition for several years. Although caring for her family was her primary focus, Mary Jo kept busy with other things, too. Once her children were older she went back to work and spent 18 years at Kiddie Kingdom Preschool & Daycare until retiring in 2010. Mary Jo was a member of Laketon Bethel Reformed Church for several years, and she was also a member of MUTS. Through the years she had many friends, but among her best friends were Jan, Sally, and Sandy, whom she loved spending time with. Mary Jo loved her dog, Misty. A woman of many interests she enjoyed sewing, various arts and crafts, attending craft shows, bowling on a league, and tandem bike rides with her husband. She and Jim were also members of the Michigan United Tandem Society and every year on Labor Day Weekend they enjoyed traveling with the group all over to ride their bike. As soon as grandchildren arrived, spending time with them immediately became one of Mary Jos favorite things to do. She did all kinds of things with them like taking them around to do all kinds of fun things. Mary Jo seized every opportunity to spoil them, and of course Grandma knew how to do everything! With unending love for those around her, Mary Jo Goudzwaard was a blessing to all who were near. She was never one to let life get the best of her, and her graceful courage and quiet strength were inspiring. Everyone else came first in Mary Jos life, and there was nothing she wouldnt do for her family and friends. Life will never be the same without her here, but the timeless legacy she leaves behind will be proudly carried on by those who follow in her footsteps. Mary Jo Goudzwaard died on Friday, October 3, 2014. Mary Jos family includes her husband of 40 years, Jim; 3 children, Jim Goudzwaard, Wendy (Chuck) Bryant, & Kelli (Jordan) Boerman; 5 grandchildren, Kyle & Kody Goudzwaard, Kayla Willard, Jenna & Jax Boerman & 1 on the way; brother, Tom Kratovil; sisters, Jean (Art) Dibbell & Lori (Kris) Boyce; father & mother-in-law, James Sr. & Doris Goudzwaard; sisters-in-law, Judy (Jim) Hylen & Joan (Jerry) Williams; brother-in-law, John (Nancy) Goudzwaard; many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews & cousins. Mary Jo was preceded in death by her parents. Services will be held on Thursday, October 9, 2014, 12:00 p.m. at Laketon Bethel Reformed Church with Rev. Dr. Sherwin Brantsen officiating. Interment at Laketon Township Cemetery. Visit Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. at Clock Funeral Home - Muskegon & Thursday, 1 hour prior to the service at the church. Memorials can be made to American Cancer Society. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.