Carol (Groenleer) Vereecken

Carol Vereecken, 79, of Grand Rapids, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 26, 2021 at the Oaks of Belmont. 

Carol was born February 19, 1942 in Grand Rapids, the daughter of John and Jacoba (DeWitt) Groenleer.

Carol was a longtime member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Grand Rapids. She was friendly and generously kind to whoever she met.  She will be remembered for her bubbly personality, her contagious laugh and beautiful smile.  Carol loved to dance and sing.  She loved to watch sports and was a Michigan State fan.  She remained active in softball, golf, and bowling, and enjoyed playing cards with friends.  She was a bus driver for Grand Rapids Public Schools for twenty-eight years, transporting special needs children.  She was dedicated to her job and loved those kids as her own.

Carol is loved and survived by her children Victoria L. (Tim) Stepek, Tammi L. Punches, William G. (Prescilla Estrada) Vereecken, Theodore W. (Sarah) Vereecken and Robert J. Vereecken, her grandchildren Nichole (Nathan) Shields, Hope (Zack Floyd) Stepek, Faith Stepek, Dedrik (Mandi) Punches, Westin Punches, Alicia Vereecken, Zachary Vereecken, Malaina (Chase Donahue) Punches, Tristan Vereecken, Parker Vereecken, William Vereecken III, Gerald Vereecken, Rhyan Vereecken, Taylor Vereecken, Camrynn (little Gracie) Vereecken, and Kendall Vereecken, her great grandchildren Kennedy, Evelyn, Leif, Khylar, Tegan, Preslee, Mia, and soon to be new great grandson, and many nieces and nephews, sister in laws and brother in laws, and many others that considered her mom.

Carol was preceded in death by her husband, William G. Vereecken, her parents, her brothers Carl, Larry, and Ed Groenleer, her grandson Max Vereecken, and a nephew Larry Groenleer, Jr.  Private funeral services will take place at Johnson-Feuerstein Funeral Home, Belding with Father Phil Shangraw officiating. Interment will be in Washington Cemetery, Grand Rapids. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association or Emmanuel Hospice.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.

Carols family would like to extend special thanks to Sisters of St. Ann’s and The Emmanuel Hospice Team.

To share a memory of Carol, order flowers or light a candle, please visit the website of the funeral home, www.jffh.com.

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