Today we say goodbye to my greatest fan and the most thoughtful person I know, my mom, Irmgard Bredemeier Kok, "Omi". Born in 1935, she immigrated from Germany to America in 1957, brought me into the world in 1959, and was there for me every day since. "Can I do anything for you?" is a phrase I must have heard a 1000 times. She loved her family and friends, animals, crafts, art and especially knitting and crochet.
Known as "The Hat Lady", Omi, through her 100s of hats and her love, made a difference in so many people's lives; first responders, newborns, service men and women, the homeless, and of course, friends, and family. At any gathering, a big plastic bag would come out and she would say "here, pick one, there are lots of different sizes and try them on." "The orange ones are great for hiking in the woods and the blue ones are the Patriot's colors." She said, "I always have to keep my hands busy" and "if you don't use it, you'll lose it." Mom, you are the example of selflessness and kindness and will be missed by so many, and I love you.
Omi leaves behind her immediate family, Roy Kok and wife Tracy, grandchildren Ryan Kok and his wife Stephanie, and Katelyn Kok, brother Gerd Bredemeier and his wife Bärbel.