Caroline Jean (Bambacht) (Bowman) Klink

Born September 28, 1929 in Portage, Michigan and died May 24, 2022 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

It is said that the beginning and ending dates do not matter nearly as much as what happens in the dash. Caroline filled that dash with many adventures, jobs, friends, and family members, and by beating cancer at age 70.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, George Bowman and Robert Klink; parents, Gerrit and Jennie (deDie) Bambacht; siblings, Wilma Bambacht, Adrian Bambacht, Gerald Bambacht, John Bambacht, Julia (Schippers) Fultz and James Bambacht; and two stepchildren, Stephen Klink and Carol (Klink) Patterson.

Caroline is survived by her children, David Bowman, Daniel (Ann) Bowman, Mary (aka Stevie) DeLeonardis and Janet (Ken) Luchies; grandchildren, Craig Bowman, Jeffry (Jamie) Luchies and Michael (Erica) Luchies and six greatrandchildren. She was especially close to Madison Luchies, Cora Luchies, Luke Luchies and Oliver Luchies, and spent as much time with them as she could get. She is also survived by her five stepchildren, Rachel Klink, Deborah Heaton, Rebecca (Jim) Kendall, Lois (Jim) Borreson and David (June) Klink; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and nephews, step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; and many special friends, especially Chris Wadley who visited her up until her last day.

Defying the odds of the day, Caroline went to college as a single parent of four young children, graduated with her teaching degree and went on to be an elementary school teacher for Portage Public Schools (PPS) at Ramona Lane Elementary, the first Head Start teacher for PPS, performed Jail Ministry in Kalamazoo, homeless ministry with The Doors of Kalamazoo, was a traveling puppet master, teacher in the Pearland, TX area for Challenger and Silverlake Elementaries, was involved with Kairos Prison ministry, and was also a storyteller, ‘Granny Nanny’ for her great-grandchildren, Madison, Cora, Luke and Oliver, and Kids Hope Coordinator for Second Reformed Church in Kalamazoo.

Her life was filled with travel (she made it to all but two states in the US) and her many adventures left her with stories she loved to tell. When asked how she wanted to be remembered, she said, ‘Saved and Forgiven’. A devout Christian throughout her life, she was confident of her eternal life and journey to heaven following her death.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2022 at 11:00 AM at Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Dr., Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Memorial contributions in memory of Caroline may be made to Rose Arbor Hospice, 5473 Croyden Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49009, or Second Reformed Church, 2323 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI, 49008.