Sharon Burd

A Celebration of Sharon’s Life

After enduring and surviving World War II, Captain Andrew John DeVries returned home to be reunited with Bertha Jeane Rodenhouse and begin a family. Within four years, they had one son, Andrew John Jr., and then two daughters: Sharon Leone and Donna Jean.

So begins the life story of Sharon, the beloved middle child.

Sharon grew up in a God-fearing home and community on the west side of Grand Rapids. Guided by her father’s love of flowers, nature, and hard work, she learned to see and love God’s creative power in the world around her.

Her childhood was filled with joyful freedom—once her mom’s “to-do” list was completed. Neighborhood games like Kick the Can, Seven Steps Around the House, and Capture the Flag filled her days. She would walk to school at West Side Christian, where she made lifelong friends and her passion to teach was born.

As a teenager at Grand Rapids Christian High School, Sharon became very involved in girls’ sports, especially basketball. Many of the friendships she formed there endured for decades, right through the final days of her life.

Determined to become a teacher, Sharon graduated from Calvin College in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in education. At a time when teaching jobs were scarce, and after an unpromising interview, God led her directly to West Side Christian School. There, she was offered a position teaching and coaching girls’ basketball.

That same year, she was married. Within six years, she and her husband were blessed with three amazing children: Rob, Emily, and Craig.

After four years of teaching, Sharon took a 14-year break to focus on raising her children—years she filled with joy, creativity, and love. Family was a cornerstone of her life, with many holidays spent with the DeVries’ and Sunday coffees shared with the Velthouse’s at Grandma Oomkes’ house. To her nieces and nephews, Sharon was the fun aunt—always ready for a game, craft, or adventure.

Those years overflowed with Big Wheels, homemade splash pools, long walks to the park, sewing Cabbage Patch clothes, babysitting, zoo trips, bike rides, and endless games. Her children were blessed by her constant, fully present love.

When she returned to teaching, it was at Creston Christian School, where she spent 12 years co-teaching second grade with her dear friend Mary Sytsma.

In 2002, her first grandson, Zac, was born, and Sharon flew to San Diego to meet him. In 2004, Rob and Becky Velthouse welcomed their second son Jacob. Since they lived nearby, Sharon was able to be closely involved. She read to her grandsons for hours—books like Cars, Trucks and Things That Go and The Lorax were two of their favorites. She played games and taught them how to garden. Sharon believed in teaching important life skills early—she never let them win easily, letting them savor a well-earned victory as well as understanding how to be gracious in defeat.

In 2009 and 2011, Emily and Mark Oliver welcomed Christian and Kaylee. Though they lived across the state, Nana’s presence never wavered. She was there for every big moment—births, camping trips, bedtime stories, homemade slime, and cheering at sporting events. Her love transcended distance and built a foundation of treasured memories.

At age 55, Sharon took on a new challenge—teaching 7th and 8th grade at Rockford Christian School. It was a shift from second grade, but she quickly learned that respecting junior high students earned their respect in return. Her laughter was spontaneous, her joy genuine. Eventually, she moved to teaching first, then fifth grade—her favorite. The parents of her fifth-grade class gifted her a bike, which inspired a class bike trip. That same bike brought her joy in retirement.

Biking became a passion. She and her cousin, Deb Rodenhouse, went on a bike and barge trip through the Netherlands. The tulips, canals, gardens, and history made it the trip of a lifetime.

In addition to biking and family; Sharon also found joy in service—volunteering at New Creation, writing to prisoners, assembling Xander Bunnies at Lavender Life Farm, and working at Bangla Bible Camp. It was at the camp where she met her dear friend Mel Wood, who hosted her in Hawaii three times. They made sweet traditions together—like getting pedicures—and shared a deep bond.

In 2017, God brought Sharon her soulmate, Bill Burd. His love, compassion, protection, and steadiness brought her joy beyond what she had ever imagined. Through their marriage, her family grew to include two sons, Todd and Bill Burd, daughter-in-law Joy, and grandsons Gavin and Dalton. One of her cherished memories was taking the boys to see Harry Potter at the Grand Rapids Symphony.

Together, Bill and Sharon delighted in watching all six grandchildren play sports. They also shared a love of travel—journeys to Bermuda, Europe on a Viking Cruise, Banff, Vancouver, the Rocky Mountains by train, Phoenix, San Antonio, Savannah, Saint Augustine, Busch Gardens, an Alaskan Cruise, Stratford Festival in Canada, and Anna Maria Island. In addition to their adventures as a couple, and forever educators, they took learning trips with their grandkids to Chicago, Washington, D.C., and Gettysburg.

Two years ago, they moved to Covenant Village of the Great Lakes, a loving and intentional community that brought unexpected joy. During this time, Craig Velthouse met Holly, who became a cherished daughter-in-law in January of 2025. Sharon also gained a new granddaughter, Isabel Saffell, whose prayer at Craig and Holly’s wedding filled Sharon’s heart with pride and love.

Bill was Sharon’s faithful companion to the end. As Sharon’s children, we cannot thank Bill enough for the genuine love and unwavering care he gave her throughout their nearly eight years together. He was truly a gift to her and to us.

Sharon leaves behind a rich legacy, lived out in her children, grandchildren, and in the lives of all those God wove into her story.

To God be the glory. Amen.

Sharon Leone Burd, age 75, peacefully entered her heavenly home, April 12, 2025 with her loving family at her side. Sharon was born May 17, 1949 in Grand Rapids to the late Andrew and Jeane (Rodenhouse) DeVries. She was also preceded in death by her brother-in-law, Al Hoeksema. Sharon is survived by her husband, William Burd; children, Robert (Becky) Velthouse, Emily (Mark) Oliver, Craig (Holly) Velthouse; stepson, Todd (Joy) Burd; grandchildren, Jacob Velthouse, Zac Velthouse, Christian Oliver, Kaylee Oliver, Isabel Saffell, Gavin Burd, and Dalton Burd. She is also survived by her brother, Andy (Kay) DeVries; sister, Donna (Curt) Vellenga; in-laws, Paul (Karen) Burd, Carol Burd, Ruth Ann (Gene) Gephart; and several nieces and nephews. Friends may visit with her family on Wednesday, April 16 from 6-8 PM at Covenant Living of the Great Lakes, 2510 Lake Michigan Dr NW. A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2025 at 3:30 PM at Covenant Living of the Great Lakes. Interment will be in Washington Park Memorial Gardens. Memorials may be made to New Creation Prison Ministries. To read more of Sharon’s Life Story, leave a memory or sign the guestbook please visit www.heritagelifestory.com.