Louise Anne (VanKempen) Boom

Louise Anne (VanKempen) Boom of Coopersville, MI, beloved wife, mother, Mimi, daughter, and aunt, went to meet Jesus on September 14, 2023. Louise lived in Coopersville for most of her 65 years on this earth, attending Coopersville High School where she met Robert (Bob) Boom who would become her best friend and husband for 46 years. Louise and Bob raised three children who were also proud Coopersville Broncos, graduated college, and now have families of their own.

Louise was a loving mother and doting grandmother who was known as Mimi to her grandkids. Her house became the go-to place for her kids’ friends and family to gather, or, thanks to her desire to connect people, welcome to anyone else who needed a meal. Louise’s smile, quick laugh and gentle spirit drew people to her, and she had more than enough love for everyone.  She always had an open place at her kitchen table for anyone to enjoy a home-cooked meal. Her desserts were particularly popular, from pies to cobblers, cake and her famous chocolate chip cookies which usually filled up the freezer. Those who knew her well also knew of the garage freezer where cookies were always stored. Even those who knew her best did not know how it was kept fully stocked.

Louise loved to sew and bike, go for long walks to talk with God, spend time at the VanKempen family cottage, and bring her grandkids camping at Ludington State Park for an annual trip. Ask any of her grandkids about their favorite Mimi story from Ludington and they won’t be able to pick only one. Many of her hand sewn quilts and blankets will continue to keep her family members warm on cold nights for many, many years.

Her biggest passion though, was people and helping transform their lives for Jesus. She was a humble servant to others, using her probing insight to know just when to reach out to others and ask the right questions at exactly the right moment. Here are just a small selection of the places that benefitted from her time and efforts: leading the Coopersville Reformed Church youth group for 25 years, delivering meals for Meals on Wheels, assisting Coopersville Cares food and clothing shelter, serving on the Paradise Bound Ministries Board of Directors, mentoring at Kids Hope, leading many small groups in and out of the church structure, volunteering with Young Lives to support young moms, and leading multiple mission trips to Guatemala, Kenya, Mexico, Chicago, and Los Angeles, among many others. Two days after her first chemo treatment, Louise delivered meals to her Meals on Wheels clients – she continued to work there and at Coopersville Cares as long as she was physically able.

Louise is survived by her husband Bob who was an amazing caregiver while she was sick, her kids Tom (Amanda) Boom, Jodi (Larry) Smith, and Brian (Brittany) Boom, her six grandkids Arden, Brinley, Zeke, Kamaria, Judah, and Braxton, her parents Peter and Minnie VanKempen, her in-law parents Dan and JoAnne Boom, her VanKempen brothers and sisters (Linda and Ron Reimink, Frank and Cathy VanKempen, Ade and Darlene VanKempen, Pete and Bethany VanKempen, Paula and Chris Smith, Dave and Holly VanKempen), her Boom sisters (MaryJo Telder and Dori and Matt Keller), numerous nieces and nephews, and all of the other people that saw her as a second Mom. She was preceded in death by her brother-in-law Michael Telder. Her legacy will live on through the many people she has influenced across nations.

In keeping with her wish cremation has taken place. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 pm at the Coopersville Reformed Church Activity Center on Thursday, September 21, and Friday, September 22.  Funeral Services will be held at 10 am on Saturday, September 23 at the Coopersville Reformed Church with Rev. John Hines and Rev Bruce VanDusseldorp officiating. Interment will take place in the Coopersville-Polkton Twp. Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Louise’s honor to Coopersville Cares, 180 N. 68th Ave, Coopersville MI 49404  or Meals on Wheels – Grandville, 2900 Wilson Ave SW # 500, Grandville, MI 49418. Condolences for the family may be left on Louise’s guestbook at www.throopfh.com.

Throop Funeral Home