Lisa Veenstra

When looking back on the overflowing life of Lisa Veenstra, it is clear to see both her unwavering strength and unconditional love for her family. She faced every challenge that came her way with a fierce spirit of determination, and she never took a single moment for granted. Nothing brought Lisa more joy than spending time with her loved ones, no matter how simple the moments. Her primary focus in life was fostering personal relationships with others. Dearly loved, Lisa and her memory will be forever cherished by those who knew her best.

The late 1970s in the United States ushered in an era of great influence for the country and the rest of the world. Space was being explored, and technology was advancing at rapid speed, providing ways to make everyday life easier. It was during this tumultuous time that Gary and Marcia (VanSingel) Veenstra of Grand Rapids, Michigan, were awaiting the arrival of their second child. On January 12, 1977, Lisa Marie Veenstra made her entrance into the world.

Throughout her childhood, Lisa was a typical girl of her generation in many ways. She was raised in the family home on Vineyard Street in Grand Rapids alongside her two sisters, Melissa and Janel. From a young age, Lisa was a girly girl who loved dressing up and playing with her Barbies. She had an active imagination and quickly discovered a love for art and creativity. The Veenstra family enjoyed spending their summers camping, boating and tubing, often in the East Jordan and Charlevoix area.

Lisa attended schools local to the Northview area and was a social butterfly. While in the first grade at East Oakview Elementary, she met her lifetime close friend, Nikki. During her time in middle school, Lisa played softball and ran track, and she was a cheerleader in high school. She was known to be the life of the party. At the age of 16, Lisa and Nikki both got jobs at North Kent Mall, where Lisa worked in a T-shirt shop. She worked to earn her cosmetology license at Kent Skills while still in high school, and in the following years, she worked at several hair salons. Before long, Lisa found her career calling in banking. She began working at Fifth-Third Bank, then moved to Lake Michigan Credit Union to work in home mortgages. Lisa later worked in collections at AAC Credit Union.

Exciting changes were on the horizon for Lisa as she met and married a man named Brent Stevens. Though their marriage didn’t last, they were overjoyed to welcome their son, Austin, into their lives. Later on, Lisa also became a mother to two more beloved children, Brady and Emersyn. She thrived in her role as a mother, and she worked tirelessly to provide for and support her children. Life could be chaotic, but Lisa prioritized Austin, Brady, and Emersyn above all else. Her own parents, Gary and Marcia, were very involved and helpful as she raised her children as well. Lisa treasured her relationship with her parents, and she spoke with her mother often, sometimes several times a day. Lisa considered herself blessed to be surrounded by so many loved ones.

Never one to sit still for long, Lisa pursued many hobbies to stay busy in her free time. She was very social with friends and family, but she was most content at home. Lisa enjoyed online shopping and ordering, and she liked playing games with her children. She loved gummy bears, pickles, and salty snacks, and she was known for her unique food combinations. Watching home improvement shows inspired Lisa to launch Turquoise Ruffle, an online Facebook store selling upcycled items. She would search far and wide for things to fix up. Lisa enjoyed singing, and she had a talent for getting people laughing. She believed it was more important to be present than perfect.

As family and friends will certainly attest, Lisa Veenstra truly understood the secret to a life well lived. She was a constant source of strength, even in the most difficult of times, and she found great fulfillment in caring for others. A dedicated mother, daughter, sister, and aunt, Lisa was a friend to many and beloved by all. Her heart of service allowed her to impact the lives of those around her. Though she will be deeply missed, Lisa leaves behind a priceless legacy that her loved ones will be proud to carry on in her footsteps.

Lisa Marie Veenstra, age 47 of Grand Rapids, passed away unexpectedly December 22, 2024 from undiagnosed heart issues. She is survived by her children Austin, Brady and Emersyn; her parents Gary and Marcia Veenstra; sisters (and nieces and nephews) Melissa & Tom Johnson (Tommy, Allison), Janel & Jeremy Quick (Dylan, Avery); several friends including her longtime best friend Nikki Schneider.

A time to celebrate Lisa’s life will be held on Saturday, January 4, 2025 from 1-3 PM at Heritage Life Story Funeral Home – Van Strien Creston Chapel, with a service beginning at 3 PM. For those who wish, memorial donations may be made to her family to help support her children.

To read more about Lisa, to share a memory or photo, or to sign her guestbook, visit www.heritagelifestory.com