In Remembrance

Loretta Evelyn Kooiman, 80: of Kettle River, fell asleep in death on Saturday, December 22, 2018, in the comfort of her own home with her Husband at her side.

Loretta was born on November 28, 1938 in Milaca, MN to Alfred & Martha Jensen. She is the eldest of five children. She attended elementary and high school in Milaca, MN. Where she graduated in 1956. Loretta then attended and graduated from Minneapolis Business College. She was hired by Gamble-Skogmo, a large chain of retail stores in the Midwest. She was quickly promoted to Executive Secretary.

On April 21, 1958 Loretta married Donald Kooiman. Together they raised 6 children, four boys and two girls. Early in their married life, they lived in Nicollet, Milaca, Minneapolis, and St. Cloud, MN. In 1963 they moved to Stillwater, MN and then to Hudson, WI. While living in the Stillwater area, Loretta took Interior Design courses and assisted her husband in his Professional Upholstery business for many years.

In 1979 Loretta and her husband, along with their four youngest children moved to the Moose Lake and Kettle River area. For 30 years Loretta and Donald, owned and operated Spring Fresh Garden Center, located in Moose Lake, MN. They thoroughly enjoyed helping others in their community make their storefronts, yards and gardens beautiful.

On April 21, 2018 Don and Loretta celebrated their 60^th Wedding Anniversary.

Loretta was a quiet woman, but she had many skills and hobbies. She was a talented cook, favoring French cuisine, she prepared many signature dishes that her family and friends enjoyed. Loretta enjoyed making porcelain dolls, lamps and figurines. These were made from “scratch”, as she first poured porcelain into molds, then fired them in her kiln and carefully painted them by hand. The clothes for the dolls were sewn using heirloom fabrics in historically accurate styles. She was an accomplished seamstress and gardener, which was appreciated with a large family to feed and clothe.

On June 3, 1961 Loretta was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She loved her God, Jehovah and her faith in his promised Resurrection was firm. She understood the Bible’s promise that she would live again in God’s New World, on a paradise earth.

“Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life….”

~John 5:28,29~

“…the meek will possess the earth, And they will find exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. The righteous will possess the earth, And they will live forever on it.”

~Psalms 37: 11, 29

Preceded in death:

Loretta was preceded in death by her parents Alfred & Martha Jensen: brothers, Allen, Lawrence and Kenneth: grandson, Shawn Isaiah: nephew, Daniel Jensen: A beloved sister-n-law, Kay Kooiman

Lovingly Remembered by:

Loretta is Survived by her husband of 60 years, Donald; Children: Ross (Bonna), Mark, Kathie, Shawn, Sarah (Darren) Renschler, Karl (Amanda) Granddaughters: Amanda (Caleb) Harju, Olivia, Kaitlyn, Abbigail, Lydia, Samantha (Bruce) Schmitz Grandsons: Micah, Donald, Carlton, Benjamin, Coltan, Joseph, Allen, Kyle, Taylor, Nicklaus, LaMont, Thomas and Daniel a Sister, Kathleen And many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren

Memorial Service, Saturday, January 12, 2019, Visitation at 2 PM and Service to follow at 3 PM, Moose Lake Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 930 Lakeshore Drive, Moose Lake, MN 55767

Condolences may be sent to: Donald Kooiman, 2733 Erickson Road, Kettle River, MN 55757

Many Thanks to the Hospice Nurses and Volunteers for their kind, compassionate care of our loved one. You are all, indeed, very special people.