Johanna M. de Kok

Johanna M. de Kok, a resident of Truth or Consequences, NM, passed away Friday the 29th of September at Kindred Hospice in Albuquerque, NM.

Born in 1930 in Jakarta, Indonesia, Johanna moved to Rotterdam, the Netherlands as a child. She married her husband, Anton, in 1954 and they immigrated to Michigan.  Shortly after arriving Johanna and Anton discovered northern Michigan.  This started many years of annual camping trips to Otter Creek and South Manitou Island, before these locations became part of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan.  She became a volunteer as the first curator for the Visitor Center and Museum on South Manitou Island.   She was a founding member of the Manitou Islands Memorial Society.  Johanna earned her Bachelor’s degree from The University of Michigan in 1985.  Johanna and Anton built a retirement home in Leland and lived there before moving to Truth or Consequences, NM in 1999.

 In Truth or Consequences, NM Johanna was active in a Lupus Support group and Memoir Writers Group.  Before her death she enjoyed participating in The Sassy Red Hat Society and Tai Chi Water Exercise Group.  Johanna spent many pleasurable evenings walking her dog, Sophie, at Elephant Butte Lake.

She is survived by her brother, Wayne DePuy (Carolyn) of Charlotte, NC, daughters, Jessica Turner (Dan) of Mesa, AZ, JulieAnn Wold (Gary) of Albuquerque, NM, Janet Love (William) of Empire, MI, her granddaughters, Stephanie Love of Santa Fe, NM, Kaci Turner of Mesa, AZ and one great grand -daughter, Peighton Roberds of Mesa, AZ. She is predeceased by her husband of 43 years, Anton de Kok and an infant daughter, Susan de Kok (Suzie).

A graveside service will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Thursday, October 19th at 12:30 pm.

Memorial gifts may be made to The March of Dimes or the Manitou Islands Memorial Society P.O.Box 177 Empire, MI. 49630.

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