Joanne Rae Monnier

Joanne Rae Monnier, age 86 of Kentwood, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Wednesday, December 27, 2023. Ever since she was young, Joanne had a love for all things music and theater. She loved books and broadway shows and she even learned how to play the steel guitar and then later the french horn and guitar. At age 20, Joanne graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a bachelor’s degree. She went on to work as an executive assistant for numerous companies throughout her career. Joanne also enjoyed giving of her time to others and volunteered for over 20 years with the Sallie Bender Guild. Above all Joanne loved her family, who affectionately referred to her as “Grandma Jo,”and enjoyed passing her love of music and theater down to them. She loved spending time with each of them and prioritized them over everything else. The family would like to thank the Meijer Heart Center for all of their tender and loving care over the recent days. She was preceded in death by her husband, Ron; brother, Steve Nelson. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters, Sharon Van Vels and Rhonda (Steve) Hoyle; grandchildren, Brian VanVels, Matt VanVels, Carly Hoyle, Alyssa Hoyle; great grandchildren, Sawyer, and Savannah; sister, Linda White; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held 11 am Tuesday, January 2 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood, with Rev. Dan Graybill officiating. Burial will be held at Pine Hill Cemetery. Relatives and friends may meet the family Tuesday from 10-11 am at the funeral home prior to the service. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Sallie Bender Guild or the Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital.