Geraldine Kerkstra Obituary

I went to Laramie as a child and remember
You fondly. As an adult we bumped into each other in the elevator at the hospital when my dad and a family member or yours were in ICU. We went and had coffee in the cafeteria and had a wonderful conversation. Your kindness was unmeasurable, your devotion to children unwaivering, you will be remembered always as the amazing, unforgettable Mrs. kerkstra. Rest In Peace Principal Kerkstra.

Mrs. Kerkstra was truly a force of nature, and she lived, breathed, and did whatever she could to enrich education in District 142. She taught my Uncle Jim, me, and she was Principal at Laramie Junior High while my daughter attended classes there. I will always remember walking into the office at Laramie to register Wendy just after we moved into the home we had just purchased three doors down, the home my dad built and I grew up in. I was chatting with the secretary when I heard her voice asking me what had taken me so long to at least come and chat! She was a phenomenal teacher but her true calling was in admininstration. She knew early on that schools would need to tap into more than state and federal sources, and she lead the field in writing for grants. Even so, her whistle, worn on a cord around her neck, got plenty of use! My class was the last one to graduate from what was then Forest Ridge School, and it was due to her skill in grant seeking that it was one of the first schools in the SW suburbs to adopt a Junior High format. Our class actually knew her a bit better than some, since her son, Jim was in our class. She helped so many students in need over the years, those with needs that weren't educational. She clothed and fed many students, even buying dresses for graduation, ensuring that they had food to nourish their bodies as she helped nourish their minds. I even know of one that she helped get a college education. There will never be another Mrs. Kerkstra! Jim and Carol, you have my sincere condolences, and my apology that this has taken so long to write. It took awhile before I heard of her passing. If there are whistles in Heaven, she will be easy to find! Thanks for sharing your mom with us.

I really didnt know you but you were the best principle ever. You will be in my heart for ever !!!!!

love,Maloree H

Hi I'm Jessy Sandoval (daughter of Michael Sandoval and Jule Sandoval)My dad (Michael Sandoval) went to Laramie Junior High School when Mrs.Geraldine Kerkstra was the principal.I now go to Geraldine Kerkstra Elementary School (Wich used to be Laramie Junior High School.)I am now entering third grade! I love my school very much!!!! It is also the first school that I will be attending to for more than one year.And because of that,it keeps itself in my very own personal favorite school record! Not just becuase of that, Geraldine Kerkstra Elementary School is my favorite school but because it always teaches me something new,its fun,because I love the name of it too,but most of all because Geraldine Kerkstra Elementary School will always have have the best honorable loving memories of Mrs.Geraldine Kerkstra!!!!!!!!!! Thankyou Mrs.Geraldine Kerkstra for everything!!You are missed SSSSSOOOOO MMMMMUUUUUCCCCCHHHHH!!!!!, Jessy Sandoval

Ms. Kerkstra was the best. I was Laramie Jr. High class of '67. I was on her undefeated basketball team and her captain of patroles.I will always remember her with great fondness. Ed Rusthoven