LifeStoryNet.com

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

 

Life Story Funeral Homes®
The exclusive providers of the Life Story Experience

Vonda Essenburg

October 20, 2019
Byron Center, MI

//cdn.lifestorynet.com/fh/obituary-default.jpg

Obituary


Print

Vonda M. Essenburg joined family and friends in Heaven on Sunday, October 20, 2019. She was preceded in death by her husband, Michael Gieszer, two brothers, Craig Essenburg and Keith Essenburg, and parents, Ted and Rotha Essenburg. She is survived by sister, Sheryl K. Essenburg and brother-in-law, David L. Ross, sister-in-law, Cathy Miller, nieces, Sarah Ross and Elizabeth Ross (fiance Jeff Wake), nephew, Craig Ross, great-niece, Alena Ross and dear friend, Daniel VanderVliet. Vonda was born in Charlevoix, MI on May 28, 1952. When she was three the family moved from Ellsworth to Cutlerville. Vonda graduated from Cutlerville Christian Schools, South Christian High School and Calvin College. After a couple of years working at Pine Rest Hospital, where she also had worked during high school and college, she moved to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University. She graduated with a Masters in Social Work in 1978. Vonda worked as a social worker and social work supervisor in Kalamazoo with mentally ill and mentally challenged adults. She enjoyed teaching an Introduction to Social Work class at WMU. She was especially pleased when a few of her students changed their majors to social work after taking the class. She was active in her church, Immanuel CRC, and with the movement in the 70s and 80s to open ordination in the CRC to women. After her nieces and nephew came along, she several times spent her precious vacation time with them in Springfield, IL where they lived. In her late 30s Vonda began to experience serious health issues. Eventually this caused her to give up her social work career though she did some free-lance writing and editing for a time. She enjoyed sewing, cross-stitch, knitting and crocheting making beautiful items for family, friends and people in need. She was generous with her time and resources, always wanting to help even when receiving help would have been more appropriate than giving it. Vonda married Michael Gieszer in 2000. He passed away in 2005. After his passing she moved back to the Grand Rapids area where she had family. She became a member of inSpirit CRC and was as active as her health allowed. She also worked for a time with the Board of Amberwood Terrace where she lived. Visitation will be held on Saturday, November 16, from 10 - 11 am at inSpirit Church, 870 74th St. SW, Suite A, where the funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will be in Blain Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to inSpirit Church.