HOPE HEADLINES
Coach Karen Page Loses Battle With Cancer
Grand Rapids Press Story
Karen Page, a leader in the advancement of tennis at
the high school, college and community levels, died Friday, July 3, at
the Hospice House in Holland following a long, courageous battle
against cancer.
Page, 60, most recently was serving as Director of the DeWitt Tennis
Center at Hope College and was the coach of the college's women's
tennis team the past 12 years.
"Karen promoted the game of tennis, but also promoted an enthusiasm
and high energy for living," said longtime colleague Dwayne "Tiger"
Teusink.
"Positive energy and spirit were the hallmarks of Karen Page's life.
Every woman she coached, every person she touched was the beneficiary
of her strong touchstones of enthusiasm and passion, not just for the
game of tennis but for the joy of life," said Eva Dean Folkert,
co-director of athletics at Hope. " I honestly can't remember a time
when in the space of five minutes -- whether in competition or
conversation, I did not see a smile come across KP's face. We will
greatly miss such a terrific role model to students and women. We
will greatly miss such a treasured coach and friend."
Page guided the Hope Flying Dutch to conference championships in the
Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) in 1998, 1999,
2000 and 2009. The 1998, 2000 and 2009 Flying Dutch earned a berth in
the NCAA tournament. A reoccurence of cancer this spring did not allow her to actively
coach the team, but it did not deter her from being with her squad at
the conference and NCAA tournaments.
Page had an extensive background as a teacher and coach of
tennis. She previously served as coach of the boy's and girl's varsity
teams at Holland West Ottawa High School. She also coached the Holland
community's adult women USTA travel teams.
She served as president of the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches
Association and was a certified tennis teaching professional.
She was presented the distinguished service award by the Western
Michigan Tennis Association for outstanding leadership and service and
named to the Hall of Fame of the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches
Association. She was a graduate of Iowa State University.
She is survived by her husband Tom, a twin sister Karyl Garbo Whitley
of Phoenix, Ariz. and a brother Tim of Montana.
A memorial service will be held Sunday, July 5, at 1 p.m. in Dimnent
Memorial Chapel on the campus of Hope College, corner of 12th Street
and College Avenue, Holland, Mich. The Rev. Paul Boersma, Hope College chaplain, will lead the service.
The family will receive friends following the service at Dimnent
Memorial Chapel. Arrangements are being handled through the Dykstra Funeral Homes of Holland.
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