Karla Lynne (Rillema) Hopkins

Karla Lynne (Rillema) Hopkins, age 53, of Belding, passed away on Thursday, November, 17, 2016 at Mercy Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, following a brief battle with cancer. Karla was born on November 5, 1963, in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the daughter of Allen Peter Rillema and Nancy Lou Thaler. She graduated from Union High School in Wayland, Michigan and worked for many years for Electrolux. She then retrained to be a Certified Nursing Assistant at Montcalm Community College and put those skills to work serving the residents of Metron of Belding Nursing Home for just over 9 years. Karla was a very caring person and it showed in her work and in her relationships with friends and family whom she loved dearly. She enjoyed crossword puzzles, word-search books, playing cards, coloring and board games. In her free time Karla enjoyed sewing, baking and to relax she would watch game shows and soap operas. Above all, she enjoyed time with family and friends and special moments with her grandson and, of course, the “grand puppies”.

The memory of Karla will be cherished by her dear family including her father, Allen (Linda Young) Rillema of Greenville, children, Daniel James (Trinia) Rillema of Stanton and Sarah Elizabeth Rillema of Petoskey; grandson Sylis James Rillema; siblings, Cheryl Zeman of Belmont and Keith (Kris) Rillema of Hudsonville; nieces and nephews, Taylor Cooper, Kyle Rillema, Brad Rillema, Zach Rillema, Monica (Mike) Boeve, Jessica (Dana) Sorensen and Erica Bruinslot; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy Lou Thaler.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday evening, November 22, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will take place beginning at 6:00 p.m. with Reverend Mark Travis officiating. Those considering an expression of sympathy are welcomed to consider a memorial contribution in Karla’s memory to the needs of the family.