Nelvina Mae Kooy

1934 - 2025

Nelvina Mae Kooy
Born: December 24, 1934 in Steger, Illinois
Died: December 3, 2025 in Kankakee, Illinois
Nelvina M Kooy nee Zeilenga age 90 of Grant Park, IL passed away peacefully on December 3, 2025. Nellie was the beloved wife of 67 years to the late Robert A Kooy and loving mother their children - late Patricia (Bill) Bubness, Donald (Valerie) Kooy, Darrell (Michelle) Kooy, James (Debby) Kooy, and Cynthia (Mark) Ipema.
Her love extended further as the cherished grandmother of 19 grandchildren and great grandmother of 35. Nellie came from a large family herself, including her dear sisters Shirley (Don) VanDerAa, Betty (Norman) Lenczycki, and the late Lucille (late Everett) Schurman and her brother, the late Harold (late Beatrice) Zeilenga. She was a fond aunt to many nieces and nephews from her and her husband's extended families. She was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Henrietta Zeilenga.
Nellie was a lifetime homemaker who loved taking care of her family. She hosted large holiday and other family get-togethers on the family farm. Nellie also enjoyed regularly visiting her family and attending events for her ever-increasing grandchildren from sports events, band concerts and beyond. Nellie enjoyed gardening (having quite the "green thumb") with a house full of plants, a vegetable garden, and flower beds surrounding the house. Nellie was also an excellent seamstress, including making her own wedding dress and also for both her daughters and several others. Nellie also loved taking pictures of her family and friends – always working to get the best picture that was in focus. In addition, she worked with her husband Bob running the family farm and helped him in his woodworking shop in creating, designing and finishing a wide range of projects.
She was a lifelong member of Momence Orthodox Presbyterian Church (formally Momence Christian Reformed Church) in Momence, IL. Nellie was loved dearly by many and will be greatly missed by her family, friends and loved ones.
Visitation Saturday, December 13, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until time of Funeral Service 11:00 a.m. directly at Momence Orthodox Presbyterian Church, 4132 IL-1, Momence, IL 60954. Interment to follow at Momence Cemetery – Momence, IL. Memorial Contributions to World Vision P.O. Box 9716 Federal Way, WA 98063 appreciated. Arrangements entrusted to Smits, Steger Memorial Chapel 3045 Chicago Rd. Steger IL 60475. For further information, please visit our online obituary and guestbook at www.SMITSFH.com