Thank you so much for taking the time to visit this site!
If you're here then I'm sure that you have already heard the sad news. My mother, Katariina Willems, passed away this last weekend.
Your calls, visits, and prayers have definitely been appreciated by our family. Due to the sheer number of people that knew and loved my mother I decided to start up this blog simply as a way to share some information as well as give anyone that wanted to, a way to express their thoughts. I know that your kind words will be very comforting to our family, especially my father.
This past Sunday, while attending the Finnish District Convention of Jehovah's Witnesses, my mother passed out for about 10 minutes and was rushed to the local university hospital. Although she was out for several minutes, when she came around she was coherent and responsive. She was placed into the Neurological ICU of the hospital and the doctors ran several tests on her. Later that day, satisfied that her condition had stabilized, they moved her from the ICU department to a "step-down" unit where she would be observed for the next day or two. Since the doctors assured him that her condition was stable and she was in the capable hands of the staff there, my father went home, stopping to spend some time with my mother's mother (Mummo) and comfort her. Early the next morning, around 2-3am local time, my father was called from the hospital that my mother had passed away.
Right now we don't really have any more information on the cause, however all signs point to neurological issues. There is an investigation being done and I will update this site whenever we have more information.
As far as plans from this point on, since my mother had so many friends and loved ones here we will definitely be making plans for a memorial service here in the near future. Right now, simply due to the "international" nature of the plans required, we do not have a date. But be assured that once we have one it will be posted here as well as announced in the surrounding congregations.
Again, your calls and loving concern for our family have truly been touching. I ask that you continue to think of my father in your prayers and I will be sure to communicate your love to him.
I've setup the email address thewillemsfamily@gmail.com for anyone that would like to send any love to my father. I can't promise a quick reply but your messages are always welcome.
Also please feel free to share any thoughts or expressions of love here as well by clicking on the word "Comments" below. I know that these will also be great appreciated by our family and my father in particular.
With much love,
Niclas Willems and all of the Willems Family
15 comments:
We cannot even to begin to express our deepest symphathy for you all, and for the tragic loss you are experiencing at this time. When our family moved to Georgia 15 years ago, Kati was the first one to give me her phone number to call her if I needed anything or any help with adjusting to my new life here. I will never forget that kindness she showed me. We look forward to the time when Jehovah will undo all the horrible things that Satan has caused, and be able to welcome our dear friend, Kati, back to perfect health. Please know you are all in our constant thoughts and prayers.
We love you,
Colleen, Bart, and Alyssa Irby
this is just so horrible...im totally in shock and speechless
kati was like my second mother, and I spent so much time playing in and around her house as I was growing up, and she will be greatly missed
to all of the willems just know that I love you and you will be in my prayers
davis
415.845.1501
"Jehovah will become a secure height for anyone crushed, A secure height in times of distress"
Psalms 9:9
To the Loving Willems Family,
Paul and I are feeling deep pain learning the news of Kati. She was so admired by both of us, always giving to others and warmly welcoming all to her lovely home. I often wished I could be like Kati, but being her friend certainly was my joy. I e-mailed Kati and am so glad we kept in touch, although it had been a few months since I last heard from her.
I had the privilege of pioneering with Kati, so I enjoyed wonderful days in doing what she loved to do and she was so good with people. They loved her.
We will miss Kati so much but thankfully Jehovah sent his son so we could have life everlasting and now I anxiously wait to embrace Kati and catch up with all she missed.
Paul and I are keeping all the Willems in our prayers and our heart. May Jehovah comfort Jorg, Niclas, Cristy, Alex, Anne, Daniel and his new wife during this time of sorrow.
We also send our prayers and love to Kati's precious Mother.
Love, Paul and Barbara Stivers
I've been sitting over this keyboard for several minutes, trying to think of the right words. Speaking has never been a problem for me. But, there are no words to describe how I am feeling right now. With the exception of my own family, I feel no stronger bond to anyone more than the Willems. I have known Kati since I was three years old. She helped raise me and my brothers. Alex, Niclas,and Daniel are as close to me as my own brothers. I don't have very many memories, that don't include the Willems family. Kati was an exceptional woman. Her example taught me that a woman can be mild and strong at the same time. Kati was a very meek sister, but she had a feisty spirit. I loved her for that. She held her own with the four men in her life. And we all know that was no small task with the Willems boys. I believe growing up with the Willems and learning from Kati's example, helped cultivate my feisty spirit.
What I truly will remember most about Kati, is how much she loved her family. Watching the love between Jorg and Kati was a special privilege. No two people could ever love each other more.
I feel blessed to be a part of your family. Thank you for all the wonderful memories. I look forward to standing next to you all, to welcome Kati back. I love you with all my heart.
Katrina Barish
To the Willems Family,
There are no words we can write that can make up for the loss of your wife and mother, but hopefully by knowing how much our hearts, our thoughts and our prayers are with you all will bring you some comfort.
How blessed we are to know Jehovah, the God of comfort and peace, who will help you through this time of sorrow.
I feel very fortunate to have known Kati; to have had her as a sister and friend. She was a beautiful person and all the memories she left with you and all of us will keep us going until we see her again. Kati's love touched so many and is especially exspressed and seen through the family she created. What an exceptional job she did. You are all beautiful people and bring honor to her and Jehovah. All that you have learned and become because of her will last beyond this life until you hold her in your arms again and your tears of joy wash away the pain of being without her now.
Sincerely,
Jacque Brooker and Family
Words are hard to express when the tears won't stop. I love Kati so much. She was a beautiful person inside and outside. She was my best friend. She was so kind and loving- there wasn't anything she wouldn't do for people. We spent many happy times together.
We went on little short trips taking pictures and having fun. I have a picture of her and I together and I will treasure it forever. I'm so glad I was fortunate enough to spend special time with her last year.
Thank you Jorg for coming to Georgia to live with your family many years ago so I could have the privilege of knowing Kati, you and your wonderful boys. I have lost my friend to our enemy death and only Jehovah with his great son Jesus can do away with death forever.
I have great memories I will treasure until Jehovah sees fit that I will see Kati again in the resurrection- then we can share many more memories.
From the heart~ Carol Weaver
To The Willems Family,
What sorrow to lose such a lovely person. Kati was a beloved wife, cherished mother, only child and a sister and a friend to everyone who knew her.
She was a natural person. She was always the same to everyone. I loved her for the person that she was. And while we speak of her in the past tense, being of human mentality, Jehovah sees her in the present, the person that she is---
sleeping in his memory. I would consider it an honor to stand in that long line of friends to welcome her back. I know each one of you have your own special memories of her and hopefully they will give comfort to you. Our thoughts and prayers are with each of you.
Love,
Rick and Sandra Taylor
We always wish we could find some words to say that could ease the pain of losing a mother and wife, but there isn't any. Only time takes that pain away with Jehovah's help. Kati was a very special woman all the way around and leaving us all with great memories of her. Our hearts and prayers are with Jorg, Niclas, Alex, Daniel and their wives. May Jehovah safeguard your hearts and minds through your grief.
Love always.
Jim and Audrey Menefee
Being a new friend to the Willems family, I can say unfortunately I didnt know Kati very well. But I can agree from what others have said here that she was a very meek and mild but feisty sister. I know the Willems are a close family. You can see the love when their together.Bringing them all together is also their love for Jehovah. I know you will continue to rely on your family and Jehovah to get through these tough times.You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers...
Love, The Obratils
Jehovah certainly never intended for any of us to feel such pain. Very soon he will bring this final enemy to ruin and restore loved ones like Kati to us. Being drawn into the Willems family circle has always been a very special privilege to Kathleen and I and we thank Jehovah for each one of you.
May Jehovah himself comfort you in this difficult time. (2 Cor. 1:4)
We love you,
Jack and Kathleen Carney
Kati was such a sunshine, it was a pleasure to get to know her at Tampere.
We hope to see her again very soon, better than ever, with all the vigor and energy that perfect health can bring.
This is now difficult time for the family and friends, but Kati could not be in better place than in Jehovah's memory.
It is comforting to know He is looking forward to the time He can resurrect her back to life (Job 14:15).
With Love
Matti & Silja
Please accept my sincere sympathy to all of you in this loss of dear Kati. Death brings such a flood of emotion, but it causes us to reflect on the wonderful person Kati was. What a fine legacy she has left behind in her service to Jehovah, a loving family, and a broad family of fellow Christians whose lives she touched. As I read through the comments left by friends,I realize that the comfort of the word of Jehovah is so precious.
So I wish for you the peace of our loving God in knowing that Kati is cradled in His perfect memory.
You are in my prayers,
Cathy Clark
We were really saddened to hear about the death of Kati.Death is really our biggest enemy.Our DEEPEST symphathy go out to Yorg and family.
Our first trip back home after 10 years was with Yorg and Kati. Those are priceless memories.
We look forward to see Kati in the Resurrection.What a comfort we have in Rev 21:3-4.
My parents in Saint. Vincent. has expressed their symphathy to Yorg and family.
Our prayers are with you through this difficulty period.
Love.Rick Valarie Des and Jared Archibald.
770-231-1838
varchibald007@comcast.net
Kati was my example and my Loyal friend. She was so encouraging to everyone that knew her. She
was always there for me when I needed a lift of encouragement to keep on pioneering.
I will always remember the Love she showed, and going out of her way to help me, to stay on the pioneer list when I had a severe case of skin cancer. I loved her and I look forward to seeing her again.
Ruby Byrd
And all the Byrd family sends there love.
All of us have many memories of the Willems family through the years. Our thoughts and prayers are for you all now, as you move on only through Jehovah's strength and each other's support, and as time helps soften the edges of sorrow. All of us shed tears when we heard of this sad loss. It does not seem, as we are watching this old system sink, that it will be very long before these tears are those of happiness to welcome her back into your arms. May all of you and us be there for that event. She gets the easy part now, to rest until that day. We have been thinking of you all often, praying that Jorg can keep up his strength without her by his side. We hope this finds your days easing a bit.
Love from our entire family to your entire family.
Wesley and Lois and Abigail
Harrell
Estee and Abimael Ramirez
Ethan and Emery Harrell
Elana and Jason and Gavin and
Maleia Eirhart
Elliott and Elizabeth Harrell
Emily and Aaron Suggs
Hannah Harrell
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