Geraldine “Gerry” Vannette, age 98, returned to God on January 26, 2025, from Resthaven Maple Woods in Holland.
Gerry was born in Muskegon and moved to Holland after her marriage to Arthur E. Vannette. Having sung the Messiah in high school, she maintained a life-long tradition of attending performances every December as well as singing in church choirs for many years. Before her eyesight failed, she knitted numerous afghans for family and friends as well as slippers, hats, scarves and mittens for local missions – too many to count. In addition to caring for a busy family, Gerry worked the restaurant business with Art, at the Sears catalog counter, and later in the kitchen at Resthaven Maple Woods. She loved entertaining family and friends at Big Star Lake as well as in the home. Gerry was a member of Covenant PCA Church for 26 years and had been involved in its initial organization.
Death was an unwelcome companion throughout Gerry’s life. Her father died when she was 8 years old. She lost two babies before birthing five. She later buried three of those children: Her eldest son at age 4; her youngest daughter at 46; and her middle child, who navigated the debilitating effects of Lupus for 50 years, at 66. Gerry demonstrated her love to her children through acts of service. She saw needs and filled them – from menial tasks to periodic move-ins to care for her grandchildren. She modeled for them courage, acceptance, and resilience through the tragedies and disappointments of life. Unsurprisingly, Gerry’s greatest joy was spending time with her family, and she cherished every visit made by her grand and great-grandchildren. She frequently paged through photo albums to relive every special moment. Through all the loss and grief, and the gradual physical decline that shrunk her world to a chair, Gerry often stated that only her trust in and dependence on God sustained her through the despair and challenges. “Great is Thy Faithfulness!”
Gerry was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Arthur E. Vannette; her son, Robert; her daughters, Ruthie Montgomery Moody and Marsha Spykerman.
She is survived by her daughters, Mary Benedict and Kathleen Heeres; her sister, Phyllis Van Andel; nine grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.
Profound gratitude to the staff and caregivers at Resthaven Maple Woods and LifeCircles for the comprehensive, personalized, and compassionate care of Gerry during the last year of her life.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday, January 30 at Langeland Sterenberg Funeral Home, 315 W. 16th St, Holland with Rev. Gordon Wiersma officiating. Lunch and a time to exchange memories will follow the service. A private graveside service will be held in May, 2025.
Burial to take place in Pilgrim Home Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gerry’s honor may be given to Resthaven Maple Woods Benevolence, 948 Washington Ave, Holland, MI 49423 or https://resthaven.org/help-us-serve/
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