Memorial Contributions:  Mission India  P.O. Box 141312, Grand Rapids, MI 49514-1312  https://missionindia.org/  

To view the service live-stream, please click on this link:  https://youtube.com/live/4wWE1uGS5Ag?feature=share  

Delores DeKok, a faithful servant of God, loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, went joyfully to meet her savior on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 98 years of age. Delores was known for her stalwart faith, encouragement and prayers for others, along with her mean game of Scrabble, Skip-Bo and Quibbler.  She was a matriarch of Christian matriarchs, shaking the heavens with her prayers for others and service for the Kingdom of God. 

Born Delores Topfer on November 17, 1926, in Kenosha, Wisconsin to Lammert and Anna Topfer, she was the younger of two children, joining the family following older sister, Angenette. She attended school in a one room schoolhouse until 8th grade. After her high school graduation, she became engaged to the love of her life, Franklin DeKok, when he came home from furlough in the army. They were married the following May. After a short stint in Texas and Oklahoma, Frank’s time in the Army came to an end and they moved back to Wisconsin where Frank became a building contractor. Here many happy years were spent building their family, and they added Jerry, Terry, Gayle and Debra. They moved again to Illinois for work in 1961, and in 1964 Franklin DeKok was tragically killed in a work-related accident. In 1965 Delores moved with her children, and was followed shortly by her recently widowed mother, to Cutlerville, Michigan. 

Delores wore many hats during the following years including a secretary at Cutlerville Christian School and Pine Rest, landlord, and real estate agent. Through her many moves and changes over the course of her life, Delores used each struggle and obstacle to grow her faith, including the loss of her daughter, Gayle Troyer to cancer in 2003.  Continually, she blessed everyone who came in contact with her. Her final move was from her beloved duplex in Cutlerville to Breton Woods apartments in 2014. Here she again flourished, building relationships, ministering to others, and making frequent trips to family events. She maintained her ability to drive her car, visit her loved ones and attend her church right up until her passing. 

Delores remained a loyal charter member of Providence Christian Reformed Church. She enjoyed volunteering for VBS, started a prayer ministry, and was a coffee break leader and active in bible study fellowship. She also selflessly sacrificed her time counseling at the Pregnancy Resource Center for many, many years. Perhaps the ministry she was most passionate about was Crossroads Prison Ministry, a mentorship ministry that connects people in prisons with mentors from churches to develop Christ centered relationships as they study God’s word together. She worked with Crossroads for thirty-nine years doing multiple bible studies a week. Delores spent countless hours writing letters of encouragement, hope, and God’s redemptive grace to many people over the years.  Delores also spent time crocheting beautiful handmade blankets for all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  Never missing a chance to connect with different family members, she would often drive to visit different children and grandchildren, lingering over a long chat and cup of coffee, or getting involved in a rousing card or board game.  She was a prayer warrior, texting her family members weekly, and routinely gathering prayer requests that she would spend hours bringing before the Lord. 

Delores is preceded in death by husband, Franklin Charles DeKok; son, Jerrel G. DeKok (Darlene); and daughter, Gayle (Micheal) Troyer. She is survived by her son, Terry (Jenise) DeKok; daughter, Debra (Stephen) VanderWeide; daughter-in-law, Darlene (Jerrel) DeKok; children, Jim (Mary) Speyer, Bob (Karen) Speyer, Ken (Marcia) Speyer, Nancy Moody, Bill (Karen) Speyer. She is also survived by 27 grandchildren; 64 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. 

Visitation will be held from 4pm-7pm Monday, February 24, with services being held at 11:00am Tuesday, February 25. Both will be held at Providence Christian Reformed Church which is located at 7730 Eastern Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Rev. Mark Heijerman will officiate.  There will be a private graveside gathering following the service at the family’s personal cemetery in Arlene, Michigan.