Laura Jean Batts Hoogerwerf was born March 4, 1933. She was the youngest of three children born to John and Jane (Vander Ploeg) Batts.
Laura lived in Grand Rapids, MI until 1959 when she moved with her husband, Burton, and their 4 children to sunny Florida. In her later years, Laura and Burt enjoyed a good life in their little “cottage” in Holiday, FL and their yearly trip to the cabin in Maggie Valley, NC to escape the heat and to see the leaves change their color.
Laura was a woman full of joy and love. She lit up a room with her smile and laughter. She was very compassionate and would always consider others before herself. Her humorous view of life was contagious and time spent in her presence was fun and lighthearted. Laura was also a woman of faith. She knew that Jesus had died on the cross for her sins and Laura had accepted Jesus as her personal Lord and Savior. If you ever had a chance to talk with Laura, you would hear how God had changed her life and caused her to find joy in all circumstances.
In 1950, Laura married Burton Lee Hoogerwerf, her childhood sweetheart. They actually grew up across the street from one another on Burton Street. Burt and Laura had 4 wonderful children, Greg, Mark, Cathy, and Bruce. Laura’s legacy of faith continues in each of her children and their spouses.
Laura Hoogerwerf was a family woman and loved her husband and children very much. She was one of the best grandmothers ever. She kept her many grandchildren entertained around her pool with root beer floats and chocolate chip cookies. She loved to spend time cheering her grandchildren on at their various sporting events. You could always hear her yelling encouragement from the stands. She would often read Bible stories to the grandkids when they spent the night. Grandma Laura set a great example of how a woman should live her life in relation to God. She established a lasting legacy by sharing her faith with each of the grandkids.
Laura and Burt have always been involved in church. Most recently Laura and Burt had been attending Highest Praise Family Church where they were very loved.
She leaves to cherish her memory and celebrate her life: her children: Greg Hoogerwerf (Stephanie), Mark Hoogerwerf (Carolyn), Cathy Wingert (John), and Bruce Hoogerwerf (Cindy), her sister-in-law: Gloria Batts, her grandchildren: Jessica Velasco (Daniel), Cara Lamborn (Benjamin), Jeremiah Hoogerwerf, James Hoogerwerf (Emily), Christa Wingert, Joshua Hoogerwerf (Stephanie), Jennifer Rood, John Wingert, Marci Hoogerwerf, Lisa Gililung (Brandon), Katie Wingert, and Joseph Wingert, 10 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a host of other family and friends as well as several very dear friends, Marge and Norm Barman and Jerry and Nancy Custer. Her husband of 57 years, Burt, her parents, brother Larry Batts, sister Marion Rosema and grandson Jason Lee preceded her in death.
Everybody loved Laura.
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