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Judith L. "Judy" VanDerKolk

October 31, 2020
Richland, MI

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Judy passed away on Saturday, October 31, 2020. She was born April 27, 1936, in Ann Arbor, MI a daughter of John "Jack" and Helen (Evans) VanDalson. Judy grew up in the Kalamazoo area spending many summers at her parent's cottage on Gull Lake. She graduated from Beaver Dam Academy and then received a degree from Parson's Business School. Upon graduation she went to work for the Upjohn company. She met Clinton "Doc" while at the lake one day. Judy and Doc were married on August 9, 1963 and spent time in Chicago before moving their family back to the Richland area when Doc and Judy joined her father, Jack, at Metzger's Heating and Air Conditioning. After their boys started school, Judy joined Metzger's full time working in the front office and as Vice President. After retiring, Judy and Doc toured the country by Motorhome, eventually settling down in Arizona before declining health necessitated a move back to Richland. Judy was a lifelong golfer and was the only one in the family to get a hole in one. She was very social and enjoyed meeting friends at breakfast or dinner to talk and catch up. Judy was an avid knitter, baker and cook always sharing her gifts with everyone and showing what a large and caring heart she had. Once she became a Grandmother, Judy excelled at spoiling her grandchildren with cookies, zucchini bread, and "grandma's soup". Judy was preceded in death by her parents; stepmother, Doris VanDalson; brother, John VanDalson; and sister, Shelby Wilson. On August 9, 1963, Judy married Clinton "Doc" VanDerKolk, who survives. Also surviving are her sons, John (Jennifer) VanDerKolk of Appleton, WI, and Paul VanDerKolk of Richland, MI; grandsons, Peter, Andrew, and John VanDerKolk; and nieces and nephews. Private services will be held at Langeland Family Funeral Homes Burial & Cremation Services, 622 S Burdick St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. Private burial will take place in Poplar Hill Cemetery. To view Judy's personalized web page, please visit https://www.langelands.com