Dena VanWieren

VanWieren (Koenes), Dena Of Kalamazoo, Michigan Dena (Koenes) Van Wieren went to her heavenly home on August 14, 2020. She was born in Conrad, Montana, March 25, 1920 to Gerrit and Ella (Doot) Koenes. In 1923 the family moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan and then moved again in 1927 to Lansing, Illinois. They became members of Munster Christian Reformed Church. She graduated 8th grade from the Munster Christian Grade School, and from Thornton Fractional High School in Calumet City, Illinois. April 16, 1941 she was married to her sweetheart Edward Van Wieren. During their marriage they were blessed with two children, a son John and daughter Elaine. Dena loved being a stay at home mom. August 10, 1964 the family moved to Kalamazoo, Michigan and affiliated with the Westwood Christian Reformed Church. She was active in the churches she attended, teaching Sunday School, singing in the choirs, being part of the Stevens Ministry and with the Friendship Program. After retiring from the business office at Kalamazoo Radiology, she became involved in Bible Study Fellowship where she was a member for 13 years, 10 of which were in the Leadership. Upon leaving BSF she felt God calling her to begin a "Ladies Morning Prayer Group " at her church, which brought joy to her retirement years. Dena's hobbies included sewing, reading, computer, writing her "Autobiography " and doing lots of traveling including going to Europe. She was preceded in death by her son John, husband Edward, parents, brothers John and Herman, sister Johanna, nieces Sharon Ervin, Carol and Henrietta Koenes. She is survived by her daughter Elaine and son-in-law Don Martin, four grandsons Doug, David, Todd (Kim) and Kevin (Karen), 12 great grandchildren as well as precious daughter-in-law Jane, special niece Nancy (Rich) Cook, and many nieces and nephews. A special Thank You to her wonderful friend Marilyn Thompkins and her loving granddaughter Kim for taking such good care of her. We would also like to thank Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, especially nurse Phillip and aid Amber for treating her with such dignity and respect. Private services will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremations Services, 3926 South 9th Street. Graveside Services will be held in Riverside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan (222 N. Kalamazoo Mall, Suite 100, Kalamazoo, MI 49007), or to Reformed Heritage Christian School (700 N. Fletcher Ave., Kalamazoo, MI 49006). Please visit Dena's personalized web page to sign her online guest book and leave a condolence or message for her family at: https://www.langelands.com