HOLLAND, Mich. — Mary Elizabeth Koeppe Luidens, a physician beloved by her patients and admired by her peers, raised three gifted children.

She died on Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Holland, Michigan. She was 72.

“Born on Sept. 13, 1953, in Memphis, Tennessee,” her husband wrote in a tribute, “Mary was raised in Stillwater, Oklahoma, where her father was head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at Oklahoma State University.

“In 1975, she graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Hope College in Holland, Michigan. She attended the University of Michigan Medical School, during which time she married her husband, Robert Luidens.

“Upon graduating in 1980, she completed her internship in Internal Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut. She then accepted an assignment by the National Health Service to serve for three years as a physician in rural Lincoln County, Kansas.

“Thereafter she and her family moved in 1984 to Altamont, NY, where she completed her Medical Residency in Internal Medicine at the Albany Medical Center. Following the residency, she engaged in a two-year Fellowship in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism (EDM).

“She was appointed to the faculty of Albany Medical College, where she served for 25 years as Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of EDM, caring for patients in the Albany Medical Center. During those years she also cared for patients at Albany Stratton Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

“Upon retiring from the faculty in 2015, she and her husband moved to Holland, Michigan, with Mary serving as a primary care physician in the Muskegon Veterans Affairs Clinic. She retired in 2019.

“Throughout her career in medicine, Mary was beloved by her patients and admired by her peers. Moreover, she raised three gifted children and was a cherished member of churches in Lincoln, Kansas; Altamont, New York; and Holland, Michigan.”

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Mary Elizabeth Koeppe Luidens is survived by her husband of 48 years, the Rev. Robert Luidens; by her children, Emily Van Hook (Matthew), Karie Luidens, and David Luidens; and by her grandchildren. Katherine and Isaac.

She is also survived by her siblings, Roger Koeppe II (Jessie), Sarah Koeppe, Edwin Koeppe (Donna), and Peter Koeppe (Jane Boyd); by her in-laws, Don Luidens (Peg) and Carol Luidens (Louise Wilkens); and by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Her beloved parents, Roger and Norma (née Lemmer) Koeppe, died before her, as did her brother-in-law, David Huddleston.

“Mary’s family expresses their profound gratitude to all who have encouraged and cared for her over the last years of her life,” the tribute said. “Special thanks go to the support teams of CarePatrol of West Michigan, Comfort Keepers in Holland, Hospice of Holland, and the Boersma Cottage of Resthaven in Holland.

A service of celebration of her life is being planned for late spring or summer at Hope Church (RCA) in Holland, Michigan.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan (alz.org.gmc), Hospice of Holland (270 Hoover Blvd., Holland, MI 49423), Hope Church (77 W. 11th St., Holland, MI 49423), or the Altamont Reformed Church (Post Office Box 671, Altamont, NY 12009).