Patricia Ward

Born in 1941 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Kelly was the first child of James F. and Mary Jane (Riley) VerBurg. During her early years, she and her family lived with her beloved grandmother, Mary Ellen VerBurg, in northeast Grand Rapids while her father worked in Hawaii during World War II and their first home was being built. Kelly developed a deep and lifelong affection for her grandmother during this special time together.

Kelly attended Blessed Sacrament Catholic Grade School, graduating with the Class of 1955, and later Catholic Central High School, Class of 1959. She formed many lifelong friendships during these years and cherished them through frequent reunions and constant correspondence. It was during grade school that Kelly met her future husband, Michael Ward. Their friendship blossomed through high school and eventually grew into a lifelong love.

After graduation, Kelly worked for a national insurance company before marrying Michael in 1961-a loving union that would last 64 years until her passing. In 1962, the couple moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where Michael earned his bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska. Kelly worked the second shift at a local business to help support their growing family, which came to include four children: Kerry Lynn, Michael Eugene, Kelly Kathleen, and Timothy Daniel.

In 1970, the family returned to Michigan and settled in the Kalamazoo area, where they established a farm on Eagle Lake featuring a large commercial orchard and vineyard. Kelly took great joy in cultivating, processing, and selling apples and grapes, as well as raising sheep, horses, chickens, and rabbits. Her strong commitment to farming and community led her to become deeply involved in local and state agricultural organizations.

The family later moved to a larger farm in Schoolcraft, where Kelly expanded her sheep operation and began studying sheep genetics. Through dedication and expertise, she bred Grand Champion rams and made history as the first woman elected president of both the National Romney Breeders Association and the Blue Face Leicester Union of North America-roles that took her across the United States, Canada, and New Zealand.

Kelly also found great joy in her flower gardens, where she cultivated Michigan native plants to attract butterflies and grew stunning irises. A lifelong lover of reading and history, she found inspiration to travel throughout Europe. She was an extraordinary artist, quilter, seamstress, and gardener-yet above all, she was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend.

Kelly was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jay F. VerBurg and James G. VerBurg, and nephew John R. Kowalinski.

Kelly is survived by her devoted husband, Michael F. Ward; children Kerry L. (Scott) Steele, Michael E. Ward, Kelly K. (Mark Bousquet) Ward, and Timothy D. Ward; sisters Kathleen E. (Fred) Kowalinski, Karen M. (Donald) Praasterink, and Colleen M. (Joseph) Shukis; grandchildren Timothy S. (Kristin) Steele, Benjamin W. (Maryellen) Steele, Alec M. (Cierra) Steele, Joseph M. LaGattuta, and Alaina K. LaGattuta; great-grandchildren Adelyn M. Steele and Michael W. Steele; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Memorial service will take place at 11am on Saturday, November 22nd at St. Martin of Tours, Vicksburg, MI, with an hour of gathering prior to the service. Following the funeral service, everyone is invited to a luncheon at the church. To view Kelly's personalized guestbook, please visit https://www.langelands.com