Vandenberg Nell (nee Vanleeuwen)
Peacefully at his appointed time the Lord took home Nell Vandenberg on Sunday November 3, 2013 in her 99th year. Beloved wife of the late Jacob Vandenberg. Loving mother of Liz and Abe Vermeer (both deceased), Bill and Ann Vandenberg, Anne and Rick Tigchelaar, Tina and Bill Vahrmeyer, Nellie andClarence Sikma, Peter and Linda Vandenberg, Ron and Nancy Vandenberg and Mary-Jane and Neil VanGeest. Nell will be lovingly remembered by her 31 grandchildren and spouses, 102 great grandchildren, and 4 great great grandchildren. Predeased by 2 grandchildren Ann-Mary Vermeer and Nico Shreutelkamp. Nell is survived by 3 sisters, 2 sisters in law and many nieces and nephews. Mom passed away at Shalom Manor where she made many friends with staff and residents. A very special thanks to all those at Shalom Manor for their excellent care. Friends and family will be received at Grimsby Mountain View Christian Reformed Church 290 Main Street East Grimsby on Wednesday November 6th from 2-4 and 7-9 P.M. A private graveside family service will be held at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. All family and friends are invited to a memorial service of praise and thanksgiving which will be held at Grimsby Mountain View Christian Reformed Church on Thursday November 7th at 2:00 P.M. If desired memorial donations to Shalom Manor would be appreciated by the family.
I have many happy memories of times spent in Mrs. Vandenberg’s kitchen in my younger teen years, enjoying her thick “soep met balletjes” and Dutch potato salad, for Sunday dinners. She welcomed me, along with many other friends of her children, into her home, with her warm smile, and treated us all like her own. My brother Abe, marrying Liz, brought our families together, and I always loved joining Abe and Liz, on my occasional visits back to Grimsby, to visit Mr. And Mrs. Vandenberg in their retirement years, and later, a quick hello when Mrs. Vandenberg lived at Shalom, when we visited Abe after Liz died. Now we, (my husband Joe and I) want to offer our sincerest condolences to Bill, Ann, Tina, Nelly, Pete, Ron, and Mary Jane, your spouses and families. May The Lord comfort and sustain you in your loss, and bless you in the days ahead as you say goodbye to your beloved Mother. I will always remember her. With loving thoughts – Janette (and Joe) Schaafsma.
Mrs Vandenberg was an inspiration to so many people. I have always been able to fondly call her “Ma” since I was very young. There is a sign over a doorway in our home which simply says “Faith , Family, Friends”. This was Ma’s motto as well. She loved The Lord, her family and her friends, in that order. Her love was given and shared with everyone through her amazing cooking and baking, her sewing and knitting, her hospitality , and her beautiful smile. I thank the Vandenberg family for welcoming me into their home . Ma has been, and always will be an inspiration for me that will never fade. May God continue to bless all you children and your families as He so generously blessed Ma (and Pa). Sincere condolence from Annie (and Larry) Hansford.