Frances Burghgraef Kok, age 85, died on April 14, 2017, having endured the effects of Parkinson’s Disease for many years. Frances was born on March 15, 1932 in Prospect Park, New Jersey, to parents Jacob and Ada (Minnema) Burghgraef. She had one living sister, Jeannette.
Fran’s family lived in Prospect Park until Fran was about 10 years old, then moved to Whitinsville, Massachusetts. In Prospect Park Fran attended Eastern Christian School, and in Whitinsville she went to Whitinsville Christian School and Northbridge High School (class of 1949). Then she went to Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where she met Louis Kok (from Lynden, Washington), whom she married on Aug. 16, 1952. Over the next nine years, Fran and Lou had four children together.
Together Fran and Lou lived in Grand Rapids (1952-53), Lynden (1953-54), back to Grand Rapids (1954-57) while Lou attended seminary, and Seattle (1957-62) as pastor and wife. Then Lou became an Air Force chaplain and Fran, Lou and the family lived at KI Sawyer AFB, Marquette, MI (1962-64); Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, AK (1964-67); Key West Naval Air Station, Key West, FL (1967-70); Bergstrom AFB, Austin, TX (1970); Lynden (1970-71); Luke AFB, Phoenix, AZ (1971-76); Hancock Field, Syracuse, NY (1976-79); Izmir, Turkey (1979-81); McChord AFB, Tacoma, WA (1981-85); and Soesterberg Air Base, Camp New Amsterdam, the Netherlands (1985-88).
Having married Lou after her junior year at Calvin, Frances had not gone on to her senior year. During their many moves, Fran took courses at colleges and universities wherever they lived, always transferring her credits to the next place until in 1974 she graduated from Arizona State University and became a librarian. She worked as a librarian at Dysart High School in Arizona, at Syracuse University in New York and at the University of Puget Sound Law School in Tacoma.
When they retired, Fran and Lou came to Lynden. They were members of Bethel Christian Reformed Church where Fran enjoyed Bible studies, Sunday school and any form of discussion group. Fran worked as a volunteer and board member for the Queen Juliana/Claire vg Thomas Theatre. She loved downtown Lynden. She walked in many Dutch Days parades wearing her Frisian costume. Fran and Lou were members of a book club. Fran was intelligent, well-read and witty. She had a gift for friendship.
Frances was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Louis; their son Daniel; brothers-in-law Hip Kok, Ed Kok, Jim Kaemingk Sr., and Maurice De Boer; sisters-in-law Alena Kok and Peggy Kok.
She is survived by her children Kathleen Kok (Custer), Mavis and Randy Moon (San Jose, CA), Joel and Tricia Kok (Toronto, ON), and Janette Kok (Lynden); eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; sister Jeannette and Al Smith; siblings-in-law Marv Kok, Betty Kaemingk, Marcia De Boer, John Kok, Matt and Sheila Kok, Toots Kok and Shirley Kok. She was “Aunt Fran” to many nephews and nieces and their children.
You are invited to join the family in honoring Frances at a visitation time from 5 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, in Gillies Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held in Monumenta Cemetery at 1:15 p.m. on Friday, April 21, with the memorial service following at 2 p.m. in Bethel Christian Reformed Church, 1105 Liberty St., Lynden, with Pastor Steve Van Noort officiating.
Memorial gifts may be sent to Calvin College, 3201 Burton St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546; or to Claire vg Thomas Theatre/Lynden Performing Arts Guild, 655 Front St., #13, Lynden, WA 98264.
You are invited to share your condolences and memories in the online guestbook at www.gilliesfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Lynden.
