Joann Edith (Vonk) Boom

JoAnn Edith (Vonk) Boom, aged 84, the best wife, mom, and grandma ever, ran into the arms of Jesus on Monday, October 2, 2023 surrounded on Earth and in Heaven by her beloved family.  JoAnn grew up in Grand Rapids and Wyoming, Michigan and attended Wyoming Park High School.  Her life changed forever when she met Charlie (Dan) Boom in sophomore English.  He stole her pencils and her heart, and they would spend the next 69 years together.  They were married in Virginia not long after they graduated from high school and Dan joined the U.S. Army.  They lived in Virginia, then in Ft. Campbell, KY before they moved back home to Michigan and bought Dan’s grandparents’ summer home in Coopersville.  It was in that home that they built a lifetime of memories and love.

JoAnn loved her family fiercely and foremost.  She is survived by her husband of nearly 67 years, Dan, and her children, Bob Boom, Maryjo Telder, and Dori and Matt Keller.  Her daughter-in-law, Louise Boom, and her son-in-law, Michael Telder, were waiting to greet her in Heaven.  Her grandchildren - Tom and Mandy Boom, Jodi and Larry Smith, Brian and Brittany Boom, Madison and Connor von der Hoff, Lily, Evan, Adalynn, and Peterson Keller -  were her true joy and she lavished them with her love, time, and sugar.  She is also survived by six great grandchildren - Arden, Kamaria, Zeke, Judah, Brinley, and Braxton.  Her brother, Lloyd (Mary) Vonk, teased her endlessly and loved her dearly.  Her in-law siblings, John (Pat) Boom and Joan Faught will also miss her.  JoAnn was beloved by her nieces and nephews who loved spending time at her house.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Herman and Virginia Vonk, her brother Wayne Vonk, her parents-in-law, John and Thelma Boom, and her sister-in-law Patsy Stratton.  She had been waiting a long time to see them in Heaven!

To know JoAnn was to be loved by her.  She was known for her kind heart, her delicious meals and dessert, and her welcoming hospitality.  Everyone who entered her door was treated as family, was spoiled rotten, and was many times given a new middle name.  Her garage fridge was always stocked with pop and her freezer full of cookies for anyone who visited. JoAnn made hundreds of Valentine cookies for her children, grandchildren, their friends, and even her daughter’s students.  She brought treats to her grandchildren’s sports teams and was known as Grandma Boom to much of the town of Coopersville for many years.  She passed out Smarties to all the kids at her home church, Coopersville Reformed, which made her everyone’s favorite grandma.  She had a way of knowing when people were hurting and never hesitated to join them in their pain, most of the time crying with them.  She sent hundreds of greeting cards every year to those who were celebrating or grieving.  We always knew she loved us “all the manies.”  

JoAnn’s faith in Jesus was one of not just words, but action.  She volunteered her time many places throughout the years alongside Dan.  They traveled with good friends and did mission trips in Kentucky, Guatemala, Alaska, and Michigan.  Grace Covenant Ministries in Kentucky was especially dear to JoAnn and they went there often.  She spent her time sorting clothing at Love in the Name of Christ in Allendale and packing dinners at Kids’ Food Basket for many years.  She created baby or college quilts for all her grandchildren and loved making and ironing on mission quilt Fridays with her friends at church.

JoAnn loved to sing hymns.  We will be celebrating her “Victory in Jesus'' and His “Amazing Grace”  as we give thanks for her life and grieve together at a visitation on Sunday, October 8, 2-6 p.m. at Throop Funeral Home in Coopersville and a memorial service on Monday, October 9, 10 a.m. at Coopersville Reformed Church with Rev. John Hines officiating.  In accordance with her wishes, cremation has taken place.  Internment, for immediate family only, will take place at Rosedale Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Love INC of Allendale, 6633 Lake Michigan Dr., Allendale, MI 49401. Online condolences may be left on JoAnn’s guestbook at www.throopfh.com.
Throop Funeral Home 
Coopersville, 616-837-8161