Virginia Vander Veen

H. Virginia Vander Veen was an energetic and fun-loving woman, whose easygoing nature made her an instant friend to all she knew. Virginia was happiest when she was playing with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren or when she was showering her family with love and affection.

1917 was a year filled with fear and conflict; on April 6 the United States declared war on Germany officially starting World War I. As millions of Americans passed ominous signs depicting Uncle Sam encouraging young men to join the armed services and thousands of soldiers prepared for battle overseas, the United States was also battling a worldwide flu-epidemic that claimed the lives of over 500,000 Americans. Despite the tragedy the year brought, for George and Ida (Campbell) Ashby of Grand Rapids, Michigan there was reason to celebrate. That year, their second child H. Virginia was born on February 22.

Growing up the middle child, between sisters Polly and Dorice, Virginia often joked that while her sisters benefited from being the oldest or youngest, she was often forgotten. However, this was hardly the case. From an early age Virginia, who hated her first name and always went by Virginia or Gina, was a good child who never got into much trouble. A dedicated student, she attended Burton Elementary School and at a time when many young women were leaving school after the eighth grade, she continued her education at South High School from where she would eventually graduate. Following graduation, Virginia pursued further education at a local business college where she learned the skills she would need to take work as needed. Growing up the family did not have a lot, and therefore she learned at a young age to be thrifty, a trait she would carry throughout her adult life. While her education was in business, it is arguable that her true talent and love was in music. Both George and Ida had been accomplished musicians, so music was always a part of her life; passing on both her genes for and her knowledge of music, Ida taught her daughters to play the piano at a young age, and Gina continued to enjoy the instrument for the rest of her life. With a natural sense of rhythm, she was also a skilled dancer who thoroughly loved "cutting the rug" at local dance halls. A frequent guest at the halls, she often ran into a handsome young man named Frank Vander Veen. It wasn't long before Frank would ask her to dance, and pretty soon he decided to make her his permanent dance partner. After dating for a while, the couple wed on December 14, 1940.

Only a couple of years following after their wedding, Frank and Virginia started a family and a daughter Sue was born. At the time Frank was in the army and sent overseas to defend his country in World War II. The young bride and her new baby decided to return home to her parents house, where Virginia received help with the baby while she took work in a secretarial position in a factory during the War. After Frank returned safely from the war, the couple decided to have another child and soon a son, Frank, was born, with the youngest child Ron following nine years later. Throughout the children's youth, Frank continued to be a good provider, and after he left the army, Gina's primary job was taking care of her children, something she cherished greatly. However, she was a resourceful woman, and when she needed to, she was able to find a job. In fact, the children can remember her sitting in the living room and typing address labels for Consumer's Energy. As time passed, she would eventually begin working in the kitchen at Pilgrim Manor, but she always made sure that she was there when Ron left for school and when he returned home.

Throughout her life, Virginia's primary responsibility remained her family and she loved to take care of them. A great cook, she provided excellent meals for her kids. She would often try new things and didn't start eating-out until the children were grown. A traditional homemaker, she made sure that each meal had meat, potatoes, and vegetables, and the children remember them all being delicious (with the possible exception of her liver and carrot salad). Although all of her meals were memorable, she was particularly known for her BBQ's and potato salad. Sue often watched her mother make the salad with the hopes of replicating the recipe, but to this day she still can't seem to make it taste as good as her mother's. Since she loved home making, holidays were always important at her house and she loved to prepare for her family. Though Christmas and Thanksgiving were very special events, every holiday was celebrated with equal vigor. The greatest memories for the children were the family gatherings on Memorial Day and Labor Day, which marked the beginning and end of the camping season. The family adored camping and would spend nearly every weekend of the summer at a new location around the state including: Grand Haven, Ludington, Holland, and even as far north as Traverse City. Though Frank had to leave during the week for work, Virginia gladly stayed at the campsite with the children to let them enjoy themselves. Since she loved traveling in the car so much, every few years, the family would make a special camping trip out west. Virginia loved these trips because they allowed her to play with her children. A kid at heart, she was not one to sit by and watch her children have fun; she would join them in their hiking, walking, swimming, or whatever else they were doing. Even when her children grew and began to take their own camping trips, she and Frank would often surprise them by showing up at the campsite! Throughout her entire life she loved being in the car and would often enjoy a simple car ride. Together, she and Frank had made a special group of friends with whom they shared many special camping trips. Eventually they met a couple a number of years younger than themselves and they would travel the country in their motor homes to stay young. Riding in their motor homes, they would eventually visit most of the continental US, and she and Frank even ventured to Hawaii and enjoyed a cruise together. Since Virginia loved to vacation so much, she and Frank finally decided to buy a cottage on Pickeral Lake from her parents. Although they kept the cottage for a number of years, they still found they enjoyed camping even more!

When Virginia wasn't busy enjoying the great outdoors she loved to dance. For many years she and Frank would stay active by square dancing three nights a week. Because they were such a social couple, they had several groups of friends that would meet at various places to enjoy a night of dancing. When the evening was through, they would usually end up at one of the couple's houses, or host them at their own house where they would sit and chat for the remainder of the evening. One of the reasons Virginia enjoyed dancing so much, is because it allowed her to be close to Frank. Virginia loved Frank dearly and was a very supportive wife; whenever Frank made a decision or said that something was needed, Virginia would follow through without question. She trusted her husband deeply, and always knew he would do what was right for the family. Because Virginia loved her husband and her children so much, she was adamant about saving every memento she had of them. Over her lifetime, Virginia saved ever card she had ever received, for her birthday, wedding, etc. and placed them in a cedar chest that she greatly cherished. An active woman, it is certain that she had many good times to remember. Virginia was a longtime member of Burton Heights United Methodist Church until it closed, and she had been a member of the women's circle at the church. Together she and Frank loved helping the church fundraise, particularly at yard sales, and she also ran a Girls Club made up of a class of eighth grade girls, that until recently met monthly. Though these things were very important to her, it is certain that nothing was more valuable than her family.

A survivor, Virginia battled Cancer three times, and overcame it before she passed away on June 29, 2004 at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by her loving husband Frank and by her sisters Polly Granstrom and Dorice Warmels. Gina is survived by her children Sue and Ron Dahlquist of Muskegon, Frank and Malia Vander Veen of Wyoming, Ron and Linda Vander Veen of Holland; 9 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren; sister-in-law Marian Dykstra, brother-in-law Marv Warmels and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Gina will be held on Saturday, July 3 at 10:30 AM at Wyoming Park United Methodist Church, 2244 Porter SW. Friends and relatives are invited to meet with her family at the Van Strien – Creston Chapel on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society are appreciated. You may read her life story, share a favorite memory, send flowers or a memorial contribution by visiting www.lifestorynet.com

Virginia was a wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. She loved her grandchildren dearly and particularly loved the way her great-grandchildren were so willing to express their love. She would enjoyed every moment she spent traveling or playing with them, and was always deeply proud of their accomplishments. A devoted wife, Virginia always felt blessed that she was able to spend her lifetime with Frank, the love of her life.