Obituary
Guest Book
Brookie Jane Kawecki, age 65, of Belding, passed away at U of M West Hospital in Byron Center on Saturday, August 23, 2025. She was born on August 19, 1960, in Ionia, Michigan, daughter of James Edmond and Ruth Lorraine (Clark) Thacker, both of whom preceded her in death. She graduated from Belding High School and drove a school bus for many years, providing safe passage for children of varying age groups through the years. She married Robert A. Kawecki on August 22, 1987, and he survives to mourn her passing. She enjoyed several pastimes including sewing, baking, a night out at B.I.N.G.O. and was always up for a trip to a dance competition to watch her granddaughter compete. Brookie also loved a day at the beach or at a waterpark. She was a kind and giving woman, always doing what she could to help others, including adopting families in need at Christmas time and sending extra food with her husband when he left for work to give to the homeless. She was a beautiful soul with a heart of gold.
In addition to her loving husband, Robert, she will be missed by her daughter, Amanda Huizenga of Grand Rapids and her granddaughter, Karissa Huizenga; siblings, Rose (George) Foster of Greenville, Rick (Mary) Thacker of Belding, and Mike (Vicki) Thacker of Belding; and a sister-in-law, Cheryl Kawecki; and several nieces nephews, cousins and friends.
Brookie’s family is planning a gathering to take place at a future date. For additional information, please contact Verdun Family Funeral Home at (616) 794-1300.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
303 S. Bridge St., Belding, MI 48809
Memories and condolences can be left on the obituary at the funeral home website.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read moreWhat kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read moreWe'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreIf you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read moreLegacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreThey're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreYou may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read moreThese free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read moreSome basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more