Jane Tena Koetje November 2, 1942 - January 3, 2021

On Sunday morning, January 3, 2021 Jane Tena Koetje went to be with the Lord at the age of 78. She is in heaven rejoicing with her Savior Jesus Christ!

Jane was born to Joe and Cornelia Jellema in Hardegarijn Netherlands on November 2, 1942 and moved to Zeeland Michigan when she was 4. She attended Holland Christian schools. After graduation she worked at Pine Rest Christian Hospital in Cutlerville Michigan where she met her future husband Ed Koetje. They married on June 20, 1963. In 1965 they moved to Portland Oregon.

Jane loved children and devoted her life to raising her own and fostering others. Jane had 7 children of her own and over the course of 32 years she selflessly was a foster parent to over 100 children. She made a commitment to each of those children that her home would be their final foster home until they were adopted by their forever families. Most lived with her an average of 2-3 years. Jane retired in May of 2018 and moved to Gresham Oregon where she lived with her son Tony, daughter Rebecca, son-in-law Dave, granddaughter Peyton and grandson Colton.

Jane loved many things; she loved camping and spent many weeks with her family in campgrounds all around Oregon. She loved hearing loud motorcycles drive past her house because it reminded her of her brother Yert and son Rick. She loved playing her favorite songs really loud on the stereo. She loved her trips to the beach with just the ladies (other women who also foster parented children). She loved to stop for an ice cream cone. She loved singing songs on road trips. She loved sunsets and the ocean. She loved watching people and families playing together. She loved her church family and her prayer group who would come over once a week. She loved pickled herring. She loved watching the Oregon Ducks with Tony. She loved going for walks, spending time with family. She loved her dinners and lunches with foster moms. And she loved her 500 chickens (per Rick)!! And most of all she LOVED, it was expressed by her actions toward others and the sacrificial care that she gave.

Jane was preceded in death by her husband Ed Koetje, brother Yert Jellema, and granddaughter Jori Koetje.

Jane is survived by her sisters Clara TenHarmsel, Alice Genzink (Don Genzink), Arlene Rosendahl (Dean Rosendahl) and brother John Jellema (Millie Jellema). Daughters Lisa Wilde (Bo Wilde), Christy Nord (Terry Nord), Rebecca Marleau (Dave Marleau), Rachel Raney (Kevin Raney), Jo Koetje. Sons Rick Koetje (Stephanie Koetje) and Tony Koetje. Jane had 12 grand children and baby number 13 is on the way, Jessica Smerek (Raymond Smerek), Zachary Wilde, Alisha Lockwood (Lucas Lockwood), Larry Koetje (Joaie Anderson) Cirana Koetje, Tyler Nord (Kimi Nord), Whitney Rodriguez (Jose Rodriguez), Charley Nord, Peyton Marleau, Colton Marleau, Hunter Raney (Hannah Buckner), and Glorianna Raney. Jane had 5 great grand children Edward Koetje, Tristan Nord, Mckenzie Nord, Emma Koetje, Duke Raney and Baby Smerek on the way.