Caroline Mina Kuizenga (née Grimm)
Caroline Mina Kuizenga (née Grimm), age 85, died peacefully on February 25, 2026 following a prolonged decline and a brief battle with pneumonia.
Born March 31, 1940 in Santa Barbara, California, she grew up roaming upper State Street, through the old stables of the Flying A film studio; her father’s nursery near Oak Park, the Rose Garden; and up to the S.B. Museum of Natural History. She attended Garfield School, La Cumbre Junior High School, and Santa Barbara High School (Class of 1958). For two years she studied at Occidental College, then spent a summer abroad with the Experiment in International Living, as well as visiting her German aunts, uncles, and cousins. Upon return, she finished her degree in political science at UCSB.
Caroline loved horses, fruit trees, native plants, reading and music, but most of all, the ocean. She took to swimming at a young age, started surfing in the early 1960s, and outrigger paddling in her late 40s. She kept a succession of Yater longboards, and maintained a habit of escaping to Rincon well into her 60s. She was always curious and relished the opportunities at UCSB, City College, and Adult Education – to study gamelan, belly dancing, botany, and jewelry making, among others. Her Chumash basketry group was especially beloved.
Her career varied from social work, to sewing at the Bikini Factory, to staff at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden, and finally, as a Planner at the Santa Barbara County. She was active in local environmental causes including foundational work to save the Carpinteria bluffs, and volunteer botanizing on many of the Channel Islands. As a parent, she whipped up some amazing Halloween costumes and birthday parties, and brought her daughters along on UCSB class field trips, endless beach time, and one fine horse adventure in the eastern Sierra.
Caroline is survived by her sister Mary Grimm; her daughters Marin Kuizenga and Marisa Kuizenga; her former husband John Kuizenga; and as well as her grandchildren Matteo, Annika, Aila, and Roan; and her cousins Karl in Santa Barbara and Wolfgang in Germany. She was preceded in death by her parents, Harriet and August Grimm. She always remembered Paul Williamson.
Caroline Mina Kuizenga will be remembered for her lifelong curiosity, independent spirit, wide-ranging creativity, her grace in aging, as well as her feisty will.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Mission Park as well as a deep appreciation to Nathan at Pacific Health Foods, Organic Soup Kitchen, and Help of Carpinteria.
No public services are planned. Memorials can be observed by spending a day at the beach with your friends or family.
