Moon Yu

With an adventurous spirit and a compassionate heart, Moon Yu strove to live her life to the very fullest. She was a steadfast source of strength in all circumstances, and she gave freely of her time and energy to pour into her community. Moon was the heartbeat of her family, and she went above and beyond to care for the loved ones that meant so much to her. Her zest for life was insatiable, contagious to all who were near. Already so greatly missed, Moon will be forever loved and remembered by those who knew her best.

It was on August 8 of 1948 that Moon was born in Daecheon, South Korea. Moon was one of eight children in her family and was raised in the area of Daejeon alongside her five sisters and two brothers. Moon’s father worked in public service and was the mayor while her mother raised the kids and cared for the family as a dedicated homemaker. Moon would always look back on her childhood with fondness. She was very outgoing and sociable, and she was often surrounded by friends. As a girl, Moon discovered her lifelong passion for sports, especially basketball, music, and literature.

A new and exciting chapter was unfolding in Moon’s life as she entered into a courtship with Robert Yu. The two got to know one another through the letters they exchanged. Robert emigrated to the United States in 1968. His older brother was already in the States, and Robert helped him establish a family business. Shortly after, Moon made her way to the U.S. as well. They were married and eager to step into their future together.

Before long, Moon’s family began to grow. She and Robert were living in an apartment in Kalamazoo, Michigan, when they celebrated the arrival of their first son, Bob, in 1973. Even as a toddler, Bob desperately wanted a sibling and would regularly ask his parents for a brother or sister. The Yu family moved into their home in 1977, and then Bob’s wish came true at last. Moon’s second son, Gene, was born in 1978.

Of all the things Moon loved in life, her family was undoubtedly her greatest treasure. She thrived in her role as a mother, and her two boys were the focus of all that she did. Moon gave Gene and Bob a childhood typical of their generation, letting them be independent and giving them the freedom to leave in the morning and be back for dinner. She was extremely supportive of the boys in all of their hobbies and passions, from athletics to the arts. Music and education were very important to her, and she was proud to watch both of her boys play in the Kalamazoo Junior Symphony Orchestra. Bob played the violin, and Gene played the cello.

As the boys were growing up, Moon took great care to make sure they were always well fed. She liked bringing Bob and Gene into the kitchen with her, and both boys credit their cooking skills to her influence. Cooking was truly Moon’s favorite way to show her love.

Over the years, Moon invested deeply into her community. She and her husband were early founders of the Korean Christian Reformed Church. Moon often opened her home to new church members and to Korean students on educational visas at Western Michigan University. She loved welcoming them to the community, making them feel right at home by cooking them Korean meals. She also enjoyed sharing Korean cuisine with those who might be unfamiliar with the culture. She loved making mandu (Korean fried dumplings) and Korean chicken wings for those relatively uninitiated in Korean cuisine and would even feed workers at her home and bring treats to her doctors’ offices.

In her free time, Moon enjoyed being physically active whether it was walking or playing golf. She loved music and singing. She continued her love of reading and began writing as well, even having a personal essay published in a Korean newspaper. She enjoyed traveling with family and friends.

Later in life, Moon was overjoyed to become a grandmother to her three precious grandsons. She doted on her grandkids and was always eager to volunteer for babysitting duties. Moon proudly passed her Korean culture down to her grandsons and enjoyed cooking for them.

When reflecting on the life and legacy of Moon Yu, it is easy to see both her unwavering kindness and her infinite love for her family and friends. A devoted wife, mother, and grandmother, Moon took every chance to hold her family close. Her generosity has touched the lives of so many in her church and her community, and her grace, determination, and selflessness will last as an example to us all. Although life will never be the same without Moon here, she leaves behind a priceless collection of stories and memories that her loved ones will forever be able to keep near and dear to their hearts.

Moon Yu of Kalamazoo, age 77, died on June 20, 2026. She was born August 8, 1948, in Daecheon, Korea to Duk Joo Hwang and Kyung Rye Lim. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Robert BC Yu. Surviving are her sisters: Eui Sook Hwang, Eui Ohk Hwang, Eui Sun Hwang, Eui Cheon Kim, Eui Gyeong (Grace) Kim, and brothers Eui Yoon Hwang and Eui Chol (Steve) Hwang; children: Robert and Sarah Yu and Gene and Susan Yu; grandchildren: Ezekiel, Roscoe, and Milo; and many nieces and nephews.

Please join us for a Life Story Service on Saturday July 11 at 11 am at Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. A reception will follow in the Life Story center where food, drinks, and stories can be shared.

Celebrate Moon’s life online by sharing your favorite stories and photos on her dedicated webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com. Memorial contributions may be made to the Korean Christian Reformed Church or Centrica Care Navigators.