Marilyn Vandenboss

Vandenboss, Marilyn J. Kalamazoo It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Marilyn Joy Vandenboss, age 85, of Climax. She died Friday, February 26, 2021, at Reflections Memory Care, Battle Creek Michigan. A fifty-four-year resident of Climax, Michigan, Marilyn was born July 14, 1935, in Lucas, Michigan, to Leonard and Cora Tacoma. She worked at JoAnn Fabrics in Battle Creek for many years. Before that, she worked at The Masquerade Shop in Climax. Marilyn expressed her love by making gifts, food and art. In her children's elementary years, she was active with the Mothers Club, and in their later years, she supported their activities including band and many sports. She never sat idle, spending her time sewing, quilting, knitting, and cross-stitching. She enjoyed making jigsaw puzzles, playing many board games, especially Scrabble, and reading. She also spent many summers after retirement in the Upper Peninsula, camping and fishing with her family. She taught her daughters how to cook, can, sew, and garden and was often called upon to apply first aid for her sons. She wasn't afraid to tackle any job, whether it was hauling hay, laying tile, or redecorating the home. She was preceded in death by her husband of 63 years, Everett Vandenboss; sisters, Faye Sanderson, Lois Couwenhoven; brothers-in-law: Art Zaborski, Fred Wright, Buell Brinks, Mike Couwenhoven and son, Jeff Vandenboss. Marilyn is survived by her children: daughter-in-law Pat (Jeff) Vandenboss in Florida, daughter, Joy and Dale VanHaitsma of McBain, son, Scott and Karen Vandenboss of Lake Doster, daughter, Sara and David Drallette of Delton and daughter, Betsee and Joe Thompson of Eaton Rapids. Her grandchildren include Michelle Vandenboss, Scott Vandenboss, Chad Daws, Teri Daws, James VanHaitsma, Amanda and Ethan Earnest, Kaitlin and Joe Craven, Rebecca and Tad Joanis, Rachelle and Michael Hill, Joel and Rochelle Drallette, Zeke Thompson, Matt Thompson, and Kyla Thompson, and many great- grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister and brother-in-law Carole and Virgil Bopp of Grand Rapids; sister Sharon Wright of Battle Creek; sister Gloria Brinks of Lowell; her brother and his wife Randy and Kathy Tacoma of Lake City; brother-in-law Dale Sanderson of Loveland, Colorado, and her many nephews and nieces. Arrangements were entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 205 E Maple St, Climax, MI 49034. Marilyn will be laid to rest with her husband at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. While there will be no visitation or memorial at this time, the family is planning a July gathering to celebrate her life with family and friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America. Please visit Marilyn's tribute wall to leave a condolence or memory of her at https://www.langelands.com