Deborah Boes

Boes, Deborah Ellen (Wendt) Portage, MI At 66 years of age, passed away peacefully and surrounded by her children at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo on January 13th, 2017. After a five-month battle with cancer, she went to be with her Lord and Savior and was joyfully reunited with those loved ones who went before her: beloved parents Richard E. Wendt and Elmae A. (Yates) Wendt, cherished parents-in-law Dale H. Boes and Ileane L. (DeBoer) Boes, and her dear grandmother, Edith (Salter) Wendt, as well as treasured aunts, uncles, and grandparents. She is lovingly remembered by her children Erin Rene Boes Wendt (Ignacio Gracia Alonso) of Burgos, Spain, Katie Marie Boes of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Bryan Christopher Dale Boes of Portage; her granddaughters Brooklyn Brynn Boes and soon-to-arrive Lea Maeven Gracia Boes; siblings Diane (Doug) Liechty of Horton, Richard (Ivy) Wendt of Jackson, and Kevin (Tammie) Wendt of Jackson; special cousin Terri Motto of Jackson; life-long friend Su McAuliffe; as well as her many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. Born in Jackson, Michigan, on November 20th, 1950, Deborah was loved by all who met her. She never spoke a negative word about anyone and lovingly built up those around her with encouragement and support. Those qualities, as well as her quiet patience, selfless nature, and love for children, made her an outstanding special education teacher. After graduating Summa Cum Laude from Western Michigan University, she spent several years teaching in Syracuse, Indiana, and Landsdale, Pennsylvania, before returning to the Kalamazoo area to raise her three children. She later worked for the City of Kalamazoo for almost 20 years. Debbie was an active member of her community, dedicating her time and heart to causes that were important to her. A volunteer for the Board of Elections, she served as a poll worker every election day. A member of Greenwood Reformed Church for many years, she sang in the choir, volunteered at Vacation Bible School, and occasionally played the piano during morning worship. A lover of music and a truly gifted pianist, she shared her love of the instrument not only at church but in piano lessons to children and adults alike. She regularly attended the Gilmore Piano Festival and the Kalamazoo Symphony and Civic. Education was of utmost importance to her and she was a life-long learner, taking up new hobbies such as calligraphy, cooking, and Spanish, and was an active member of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, a philanthropic organization dedicated to women's education. She was a fount of wisdom, a talented musician, a faithful friend, a pillar of strength, and a doting and supportive mother and grandmother. Her greatest joy was being with her granddaughter. A true model of generosity and Christian love, she will be desperately missed by many and never forgotten. According to her wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held 11 o'clock Friday, January 20th at Greenwood Reformed Church, 1815 Winton Ave. Friends may meet the family one hour prior to the service at the church. Private burial will take place in Central Portage Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent in her name to HEART (Healing and Education Through the Arts), Rose Arbor Hospice of Kalamazoo, or the Elmae Wendt Nursing Scholarship established in her mother's name at Jackson College, 2111 Emmons Rd., Jackson 49201. Arrangements were made by the Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St. Please visit Deborah's personalized webpage for online guestbook or to leave a condolence. www.langelands.com.