Covey, Jackie (Mrs. Mike) 1974-2024

COVEY, KEMPEMA, VANOTTERLOO

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/11/2024 at 16:16:38

Mrs. Jackie Covey, age 50, of Hull, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Sioux Center Health, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.

A visitation with the family present will be held on Wednesday, September 11, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the Hope Christian Reformed Church in Hull. A prayer service will take place on Thursday, September 12, at 10:00am, at the church, followed by interment at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. There will be a memorial service on Thursday, at 11:00am, at the church with pastor Keith Hoekstra officiating. The Oolman Funeral Home in Hull is in charge of arrangements.

Jackie Renae was born on March 26, 1974, in Sioux Center, the youngest of six children born to Arthur and Margaret (Kempema) Van Otterloo. She grew up in Hull, where she attended Hull Christian School and Western Christian High School. After graduating in 1992, she enrolled at Dordt College in Sioux Center and earned her secretarial degree while also working in the college registrar’s office. After college, she began working for CHEARS Home Health and Hospice at the Sioux Center Hospital, transcribing medical records. As her career evolved, she eventually found herself working at Community Health Partners in Orange City as the Director of Operations and Finance. Jackie enjoyed her jobs and appreciated the many colleagues she was blessed to work with.

On January 27, 1995, she married her high school sweetheart, Mike Covey, in Hull, where they made their home. Mike and Jackie were blessed with three children, Brady, born in 1999; Rachel, born in 2002; and Addison, born in 2007. In 2013, Jackie was diagnosed with breast cancer and after several operations and multiple rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, she was declared cancer-free. Nine years later, Jackie was diagnosed with leptomeningeal disease, a rare and terminal cancer that affects the spinal fluid and the lining of the brain. Given a diagnosis of two to four months to live, she was quite certain she would be entering heaven before her older brother, Loren, who was fighting cancer at the same time. After what would be a miraculous response to radiation and several drug regimens, she was blessed with more than two years of additional time with her family and friends than she initially anticipated. Jackie fought her cancer battle with what she and Mike called a peaceful resolve that was only possible with her Savior walking by her side and not allowing her condition to define who she was. One of her greatest blessings was being able to meet her first grandchild, Jettson Michael Covey, in May of 2023, and being a part of his first birthday.

Jackie was a lifelong member of the Hope Christian Reformed Church in Hull, where she served as a Sunday school teacher, GEMS leader, and youth group leader. Her faith was an essential part of her life, and she was often seen by her children doing her daily devotions in the morning while they were getting ready for school. She enjoyed the numerous family vacations they were able to take over the years and loved spending time with family and close friends at The Lakes. She also cherished the simple things, like sitting on the front porch or deck with Mike and the kids.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of more than 29 years, Mike, of Hull; three children, Brady Covey, and his wife, Allison, of Hull; Rachel, and her husband, Austin Faber, of Sioux Center; and Addison Covey, at home; one grandson, Jettson Covey; her parents, Art and Margaret Van Otterloo, of Hull; two sisters and their husbands, Nancy and Kelly Collwell, of Spirit Lake, and Sandy and Martin Nielsen, of Hull; two brothers, Mike and Marideth Van Otterloo and Dave and Lisa Van Otterloo, all of Hull; a sister-in-law, Shelly Van Otterloo, of Hull; Mike’s parents, Marlo and Vivian Covey, of Hull; and Mike’s four brothers and their wives, Mark and Emily Covey, of Sioux City; Matt and Charissa Covey, of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Tim and Tracy Covey, of Clermont, Florida; and Jon and Kelsey Covey, of Sanborn; 27 nieces and nephews; and 15 great-nieces and great-nephews, with one more on the way.

She was preceded in death by her older brother Loren, who passed away in November of 2022.

Memorials will be given to the family for future designation.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.