Ralph Klooster

Roelof 'Ralph' Klooster, age 75, a sinner saved by grace, went home to be with his Lord on June 11, 2015. Ralph was born December 25, 1939 in Winsum, Groningen, Netherlands the son of Andy and Janna Reker Klooster. He immigrated to the United States in 1958 and has been in the Kalamazoo area ever since. Ralph was employed with Consumers Power for 33 years and retired in 1999. In his youth, Ralph was an excellent soccer player and a member of the Kalamazoo International Soccer Team receiving "player of the year" and "top scorer of the year" awards in 1971. Ralph served as an elder at Grace Christian Reformed Church and was currently a member of Texas Corners Bible Church. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling, playing the harmonica, singing, and was known for his unique sense of humor. Ralph and Marlene, his wife of 54 years, loved to sing together and sang at many local churches, weddings and funerals. On November 18, 1960 he was united in marriage to Marlene Hamming Klooster who survives. Also surviving are their two children, Douglas Amy Klooster and Kathy Tim Kloosterman; grandchildren, Lauren Zachary Klomparens, Heather, Matthew and Lydia Kloosterman; a sister, Ria Bush, sisters-in law, Trudy Klooster, Ina Klooster and many nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Evelyn Kruissel, Jakob Klooster, Kina Wagenaar, Trientje De Groot, and Rev. John Klooster; and his brothers-in-law Ben Kruissel, John Wagenaar, Lammert De Groot, and Roger Bush. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 PM on Wednesday, June 17th at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 South 9th Street. A Funeral Service will be held 10:00 AM on Thursday, June 18th at Texas Corners Bible Church 7780 South 8th St. with Pastor David Thompson officiating. Following a luncheon at the church, interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park South. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Ralph's memory may be directed to Reformed Heritage Christian School, Texas Corners Bible Church or Hospice Care of SW MI.