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Veneta Vander Lind

September 6, 1926 - December 16, 2014
Grand Rapids, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, December 18, 2014
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes Van't Hof Chapel
851 Leonard St., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Map

Service

Friday, December 19, 2014
11:00 AM EST
Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes Van't Hof Chapel
851 Leonard St., N.W.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
Map

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Juvenille Diabetes Research Foundation
4595 Broadmoor SE Suite 230
Kentwood, MI 49512

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ball Park Floral
8 Valley Ave.
Grand Rapids, MI 49504
(616) 459-3409
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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It has been said that the more content you are with yourself, the fewer material things you need. Veneta Vander Lind lived such a life, one filled with the things that matter most – family, friends and faith. She spent many years giving and receiving love, and making the most of every moment life gave her. Underneath her great sense of humor and cheerful outlook on life was a reservoir of strength and sincere kindness, generously shared with all those around her. A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Veneta’s smile and laughter filled each day with sunshine.

The Roaring Twenties was a fantastic period in our nation’s history, when the sounds of progress could be heard in every village and city across America. It was the birthplace of Jazz, the golden age of industry and above all, a time of plenty. This was also a time of celebration for a young couple from Sparta, Michigan as they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Veneta Marie, on September 6, 1926. Veneta was the third of four Stuart children, and she was raised in the family home alongside her siblings, Clifford, Jack and Betty. Her father worked as a welder at American Seating Co. while her mother was a busy homemaker. When her mother was younger, she wanted to be a nun and went into a convent, but came to realize she really wanted a family one day. She left the sisterhood behind but not her faith, and when she was later blessed with children, she made sure they went to Sunday school and attended church.

Veneta was a student at local schools and graduated from Union High School. She then went to work at a company that made calculators, until she married her first husband and had their son, David. Her marriage eventually ended, but her main focus remained caring for her son. In time, Veneta found love again when she met Ed Vander Lind at Fairview Reformed Church. After dating for awhile, Veneta and Ed were happily married on July 17, 1958, with David by her side. They spent the next 52 years together, creating many wonderful memories with their family and friends. They enjoyed going out to eat and taking day trips up north, and it was always nice to have their close friends, Ron and Eleanor, Gordy and Pat and John and Joanne, over to play cards or just have some good laughs together. Ed sang at their church, Orchard Hills, and Veneta never missed one of his performances.

What gave Veneta the greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She frequently had them over for sleepovers, which were just packed with fun – from playing games to going out to eat (usually at McDonalds or Village Inn Pizza). There were always giggles and laughter in the air when Grandma Veneta was around! The holidays and special occasions were always a highlight for Veneta, when all the family came together. She considered her family to be her greatest gift and blessing in life, and now become her greatest legacy.

Veneta enjoyed the simple things in life - being at home, reading her magazines and novels, and enjoying some chocolate to satisfy her sweet tooth. She loved to laugh, and with her contagious humor, she always greeted people with “Yoohoo.” In early 2000, Veneta began showing signs of dementia, and when it progressed, she went to live at Christian Rest Home in 2004. Ed faithfully visited Veneta every day, and when his health began to decline, he became a resident there as well. Sadly, Ed passed away in August 2010. Veneta carried on without him for another 4 years before she passed away on Saturday, December 16, 2014. Through all her life, Veneta always had a smile on her face and laughter in her heart. It is the way her family will always remember her.

Veneta was preceded in death by her husband, Edward; and son, David Alan Hans. Veneta is survived by her grandchildren, Todd (Holly) Hans, Tom (Susan) Hans, and Tara (Ryan) Jonker; great-grandchildren, Jessica, Samantha, Molli, Nora, Colton, Paige, and Lincoln; daughter-in-law, Linda (Bill) Boylen; and brother, Cliff (Evelyn) Stuart.

The Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, December 19, 2014, at Heritage Life Story Funeral Homes, 851 Leonard St. NW. Friends are invited to visit with her family from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, December 18, at the funeral home. Contributions in her memory may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to read her life story, archive a memory, photo, or sign the guestbook online.

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