Christine Bush

A woman of great courage, compassion, and selfless love, Christine Bush was an incredible blessing in the lives of so many within her reach. She was truly at peace while around water, yet it was with her loved ones by her side that she was happiest. Christine was one to work hard, but her focus was not on building wealth or accumulating possessions as she firmly believed in the notion that it is in meeting the needs of those around us that we are blessed beyond measure. A devoted mother, she was overjoyed to become a grandmother to the four grandchildren who were her greatest source of pride and joy. Life will never be the same without Christine here, but her memory will remain forever near and dear to the hearts of those she leaves behind.

The 1950s were an exciting time in American history filled with great changes that were shaping the cultural fabric of our nation in ways that still color our world today. Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly were becoming household names while The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet and I Love Lucy were making their way into living rooms in record numbers. This was the decade that witnessed Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat on the bus in Montgomery, Alabama, and Alaska and Hawaii becoming our 49th and 50th states. It was as this decade dawned on the horizon that a young couple from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was delighted to announce the birth of their baby girl on August 7, 1950. Christine Kay was the older of two girls born to her parents, Christopher and Carol (Bos) Koets, and she was raised in the family home alongside her sister, Cindy, who was three years her junior. Her father worked as a pipefitter while her mother worked at Ruby’s Clothing Store.

In many ways Christine experienced an upbringing that was reflective of her generation. Love for her family was established as a cornerstone in her life from a young age, and she and her sister always looked forward to spending two weeks out at Crooked Lake as a family each summer. As sisters are known for getting under each other’s skin from time to time, Cindy loved picking up frogs and taunting Christine with them just to hear her big sister scream! For her education Christine attended Kalamazoo Public Schools, graduating from Kalamazoo Central in 1968.

Not to be forgotten during her years in high school was Christine’s introduction to the man with whom she would establish the family she treasured. His name was Bill Bush, and he was a couple of years older than Christine. The first time they met he had asked her to borrow some money, and to this day he isn’t really sure if he ever paid Christine back! Although there was an immediate attraction between them, the couple didn’t begin dating until they had both graduated from high school.

With a desire to build a life together, Christine and Bill were married on October 10, 1970. Together they were blessed with three children, Kimberly, Kevin, and Ryan. From the time she became a mother Christine fully embraced the task at hand as tending to her children was always her first priority. Everything that came out of her kitchen was fantastic whether sweet or savory, and a fun tradition she had learned from her own mother that her children always looked forward to was being able to decide the menu each time their birthdays rolled around.

Although her primary focus was on caring for her family, Christine’s life was filled with other enriching experiences as well. For over 30 years she worked as an office manager for R.E Schell Enterprise. Christine was an active member of Vicksburg United Methodist Church where she especially enjoyed welcoming new members. For 35 years she shared a close relationship with a woman named Marti Beebe. Together the two friends love to go antiquing, and Christine was always on the lookout for Currier & Ives dishes. Christine and Marti also did a lot of traveling together through the years. She loved going for a drive no matter where she was headed, and Christine also enjoyed listening to NPR. A lover of the changing seasons, fall was her favorite time of year, and as the matriarch of her family Christine greatly enjoyed organizing the family gatherings during the holiday season each year.

Later in life Christine was thrilled to become a grandmother to her four precious grandchildren, Selina, Taylor, Cooper, and Gavin. With a passion for the water she loved taking them to a nearby lake and spending time on the beach playing in the water, floating on a raft, or just soaking up the sun.

When reflecting on the life of Christine Bush, words such as selfless, kindhearted, and gentle come to mind. She loved those around her without condition or pretense and naturally put the needs of others ahead of her own. Christine was a woman of faith who was equipped with a quiet strength that gave her the courage she needed when the storms of life came her way. Taken from her loved ones much too soon, her timeless legacy will live on in the lives of those who follow her.

Christine K. Bush, of Portage, died on Tuesday, September 11, 2012. Visitation will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday, September 14, 2012 at the Vicksburg United Methodist Church (217 S. Main St., Vicksburg), followed by a memorial service at 6 p.m. Christine’s family includes her three children: Kimberly (Brian) Myers, of Marquette; Kevin Bush, of Portage; Ryan Bush, of Paw Paw; four grandchildren: Selina, Taylor and Cooper Myers; Gavin Bush; mother, Carol Koets; and sister, Cindy (Larry) Spaman, of Allegan. Christine was preceded in death by her father, Christopher Koets.

Please visit Christine’s memory page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can sign leave a favorite memory or sign her memory book online. Those who wish may make donations to the American Diabetes Association.