Kathryn Olinger

Kathryn L. Olinger, age 63, of Holland died Sunday, January 1, 2017.

Kathyrn Louise Olinger, 63, passed away peacefully in the presence of family during the evening of January 1, 2017. Armed with a strong will to live and an abiding faith in God, Kathy thus completed a three year journey of living life to its fullest while battling the effects of lung cancer.

Kathy was born to Philip and Genevieve Datema of Caledonia, Michigan and enjoyed her early years with siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins on the family farm. After graduating from Caledonia High School, she married Jim Kleiman in 1974, was blessed with two sons, David and Daniel, and lived and worked in the Holland area for the next twenty years. Upon marrying lifelong friend Randy Olinger in 1995, she and her boys joined him and his two children, Amy and Ken, in Grand Ledge Michigan. In 2001, the Olingers moved to their current residence in Holland.

Kathy worked various jobs to help support her family. She made many friends while working at the Ottawa Beach Inn for over ten years. She cherished memories of time with coworkers at Holland Hospital and Michigan Pain Consultants, and also enjoyed working for Edward Jones and the local newspaper while residing in the Grand Ledge area.

Kathy enjoyed many simple things in life – reading scriptures, neighborhood walks, kayaking, Tiger baseball games, and time spent in California and The Keys. In recent years, time with grandchildren became one of her greatest joys.

Kathy loved her Holland home, and from the back yard and deck family and friends enjoyed Kathy’s certified wildlife habitat, including beautiful gardens and an abundant bird population. Whenever possible, an evening spent with friends was often followed by a trip to the beach to catch a sunset, or to the marina to relax on the sailboat. Music, laughter and happiness were her constant companions, and she shared her many gifts selflessly.

Kathy is survived by her husband Randy, sons David and Daniel Kleiman, stepchildren Amy (Matthew) Morgan, Ken (Jeanette) Olinger, grandchildren Leah, Timothy and Priscilla (Morgan), Teagan and Rylie (Olinger), siblings Richard (Donna) Datema and Betsy (Tim) VanKalker, her loving parents Phil and Gen, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 7:00 PM on Monday, January 9, 2017at Beechwood Church, 895 Ottawa Beach Rd. in Holland, with the Reverend Matthew Morgan officiating. You are invited to meet with family and friends at the church from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Gilda’s Club at 1806 Bridge St., NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Arrangements are by Dykstra Funeral Home – Northwood Chapel.