Katherine Helen Bruxvoort

Katherine Helen Bruxvoort,74, passed away surrounded by family at her home under the compassionate care of hospice. Three months after arriving in the United States from the Netherlands, Katrina Helena was born in Bozeman, Montana on June 25, 1950. As she experienced the struggles of growing up in an immigrant family, her commitment to Jesus Christ at age six provided an anchor throughout the difficulties in life. Attending St. Joseph Mercy School of Nursing in Sioux City, Iowa, she crossed paths with people from many different faiths. She worked in an ICU in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and then moved to Rehoboth, New Mexico, with her good friend, Sheryl Piper. A year later she participated in a Summer Training Session in Mexico, a fun-filled, life changing experience. She met her future husband, Carl Bruxvoort, on that trip. From there, she returned to Grand Rapids to again work at Butterworth Hospital. During her time in Grand Rapids, she went on a three-week tour of five countries in the Middle East. Highlights included seeing the pyramids of Giza and King Tut's tomb. After getting married to Carl Bruxvoort on June 14, 1977, they immediately moved to Japan for Carl's seminary internship. During that time, they developed a love for tempura and katsudon, rode the high speed "bullet" trains, and witnessed a sumo tournament. Upon their return, they moved to Dispatch, Kansas – population 6! Micah was born in Kansas and a few years later Jordan came along too! Lifelong friendships were made during their time in Dispatch. Kathy and Carl's next home was in McBain, Michigan, population 700. While in McBain, the family was blessed with the birth of their daughter Kelsey. Kathy was actively involved with the Rolled Oat Food Co-op and that gave her many organic options which she loved. She worked hard at giving her family wonderful meals using canned fruits and vegetables from her large garden. McBain was also a great place to live for Micah and Jordan as they had a lot of freedom to ride their bikes and explore the neighborhood. From McBain, the family moved to Muskegon, Michigan. During that time, Kathy established a GEMS Club (Girls Everywhere Meeting Their Savior). Through canvassing neighborhood schools, girls from various ethnic backgrounds became regular attendees of the Club. In 2002, the family moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Kathy became very involved in a new ministry that her husband Carl started, New Roots- a ministry to the growing immigrant/refugee population. Kathy also started working as a Registered Nurse at Sanford Hospital. Also, during this time, a special trip was made to visit Micah and Katia in Tanzania that included a tour of the Serengeti and Zanzibar. It was fascinating to see lion cubs a few feet from their vehicle and zebras and hippos. In March 2017, Kathy was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. Throughout all the ups and downs of fighting cancer for the last seven years, she lived her life with the same intentionality she always did. Kathy had a unique talent for making every occasion special with attention to every detail. Every house Carl and Kathy moved to was made into a warm, welcoming home. Kathy was beautiful inside and out, possessed an infectious laugh, and always took the time to listen whenever someone needed to talk. Her passing leaves us with broken hearts. Kathy is survived by her husband Carl and her children Micah (Katia), Jordan, Kelsey (Bryce) Wagg; grandchildren Rio and Remy Bruxvoort, Amos and Abigail Bruxvoort, and Elliot and Finley Wagg; sisters Wietske Siebenga, Norma Farrand, and Irene Decker, and brother Charles Siebenga; as well as her brother and sister-in-law Harold and Liz Bruxvoort, a sister-in-law Janice Roelofs and a brother-in-law David Farrand. A Memorial Service will be held Friday, November 8, 2024, at 2:00pm at Heritage Funeral Home. A visitation with body present will be held Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at Heritage Funeral Home. Heritage Funeral Home is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Kathy funeral Time: Nov 8, 2024 01:30 PM Central Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84079699555?pwd=3GwV4XKDjm3hLtrM63aq1Jez84XK0s.1 Meeting ID: 840 7969 9555 Passcode: 051563 Memorial gifts can be directed to the Naomi Project, 300 S. Minnesota Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57104, secure.actblue.com/donate/naomiproject