Kristi Lynn (Tiggleman) Hovind, 41, of Byron Center, died Thursday, Jan. 9, after a 25-year battle with Lupus.

A loving mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and special friend, Kristi never let her disease define her or hold her back. She had a zest for life that was as admirable as it was exhausting to keep up with, even as she struggled through many of life’s health challenges.

She forged wonderful lifelong friendships with so many – from her days at St. Stan’s and Wayland High School, to the jobs she loved at Continental Airlines, the Weather Office and at Booking.com. Even in her frequent doctor visits or hospital stays, she was always ready with a smile and a story.

Kristi is survived by her son, Kenneth Jay Hovind, her sisters, Amy (Sheri) Tiggleman and Vicki Lewis, her father Frank (Judy) Tiggleman, half-brother Mike (Jill) Tiggleman, aunt Donna (Don) Dekema, uncle Ken (Wanda) Tiggleman, aunt Shirley Suchomski, nieces Sonya and Andrea and was a great-aunt to Oliver and Colter.

Kristi was also blessed with Godparents, Danny and Nancy Truskowski, cousins on both the Tiggleman and Wisniewski sides of the family. She leaves behind dear friends Lisa Kollar Cassini and family, Mary Podskalan (Trent, Alyssa and Rylee), Ben and Jessica Orange and Robert (Uber) Riekkola.

She was preceded in death by her loving mother, Mary Tiggleman, and her precious Payton.

Visitation with the family will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, with family sharing memories at 7 p.m. and Rosary at 7:30PM at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 4330 18th St, Dorr.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church, 1871 136th Ave, Dorr, with Fr. Stephen Rodrigo officiating.  Interment will be at St. Stanislaus Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kristi’s memory to St. Stanislaus Education Fund, The National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, or Paws with a Cause.