Aletha Boven

Aletha Boven, age 68, of Portage, MI went home to be with her Lord and Savior on December 31, 2016. Aletha was born August 29, 1948 in Kalamazoo, the daughter of Neil and Marianne (Lytle) Veldt. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration from Nazareth College and was named in Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges. Aletha was employed for 29 years as the Sales Coordinator with Dana Corporation prior to her retirement. She was an avid collector of butterflies and was known as the "Butterfly Lady". Aletha was a former member of Haven Reformed Church, Faith Reformed Church and currently a member of Southridge Reformed Church. Throughout the years she was very active in the churches as a Sunday School Teacher, Education Committees, Prayer Ministry and Card Ministry. Another passion was her support of the Girls Mission in Reynosa, Mexico. On May 1, 1969, she was united in marriage to James M. Boven, who survives. Also surviving are their daughter Michelle Boven; two granddaughters Brieanne (Bobby) Maya and Devone (Travis) Dinse; a sister Marily Sanford; and many other special family and friends. Aletha was preceded in death by her parents and a brother William Veldt. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 8:00PM on Wednesday, January 4th at the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave. Funeral Services will be held 11:00AM Thursday, January 5th at Southridge Reformed Church (6726 Texas Drive) with Rev. Dr. Mark Vanderson officiating. Cremation will follow services and burial in Ft. Custer National Cemetery will be held at a later date. Memorials in Aletha's memory may be directed to SHALOM, or the American Heart Association.