Julia Lorraine Berkompas

1938 - 2016

Julia Lorraine Berkompas, age 77, of Rudyard, Michigan, died Monday, August 1, 2016, at War Memorial Hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She was born August 18, 1938, in Holland, Michigan to Egbert and Julia (Dykstra) Stegink.
Julia grew up in Holland. She was attending college when she visited her brother who was a pastor in Rudyard. While there, she met Edward William Berkompas and returned to school to tell her roommate that she had met the man she was going to marry. True to her word, Julia and Ed were married June 10, 1960 in Holland. They made their home on a farm in Rudyard. Julia was a loving wife who worked hard on the farm in addition to making a home for their children. With the children grown, Julia worked for ten years as a cook at the county jail while her husband Ed was the county sheriff.
Julia was an active member of the Christian Reformed Church, the church Bible Study group and the Women's Guild, and Gideons International. She also volunteered at the Christian School and the Rudyard Historical Society.
Julia loved music and was always humming or singing no matter what she was doing. She sang with the group Sweet Adelines International in Sault Ste. Marie, Canada. She also loved quilting and has made numerous quilts for family and friends. Julia enjoyed baking, crossword puzzles, word games including Scrabble and Boggle, jigsaw puzzles, and gardening.
Julia is survived by three sons: Bruce (Jane) Berkompas of Rudyard, Wayne Berkompas of Rudyard, and Brian (Lisa) Berkompas of Hopewell, Virginia; three daughters: Linda (Doug) Kellar of Hudsonville, Michigan, Kathleen (Jeff) Borowski of Rudyard, and Carla (Greg) Nagel of Caledonia, Michigan; daughter-in-law, Diane Berkompas of Dorr, Michigan; and seventeen grandchildren: Gail and Megan Berkompas; Matthew Kellar; Carrie, Abigail, Esther and Emily Berkompas; Bethany and Jordan Berkompas; Andrew, Lauren, Dennis, and Rebekah Borowski; David and Sarah Nagel; and Marcus and Makayla Berkompas. Also surviving are her brothers: Rev. Martin (Lois) Stegink of Holland, Lawrence (Harlean) Stegink of Lynden, Washington, and John (Eunice) Stegink of Grand Rapids; sisters, Patricia (Andy) Buursma of Mears, Michigan, and Eileen (Jim) Dolbee of Galesburg, Michigan; and brother-in-law, Don (Alice) Genzink.
Julia was preceded in death by her husband, Ed Berkompas; daughter, Evelyn Berkompas; son, Dale Berkompas; daughter-in-law, Amy Berkompas; and sister, Grethel Genzink.
Services will be held Friday, August 5, at the Christian Reformed Church, 17970 S. Tilson Road in Rudyard. Visitation will be held from noon until 3 p.m. with the funeral service beginning at 3 p.m. Burial will follow in North Rudyard Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rudyard Christian School, 10702 W. 17 Mile Rd., Rudyard, MI 49780 or the local chapter of Gideons International, 12025 Haylake Road, Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783.
R. Galer Funeral Home in Pickford, Michigan is serving the family. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rgalerfuneralhome.com.