Joanne Sue Vander Velde, aged 86 of Grand Rapids, was called home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, July 17, 2026. She was born as Johanna Zwaantina Beenen, in Overijsel, Netherlands, to the late Gerrit and Johanna Beenen, before immigrating to the United States at the age of 19.

She was preceded in death by her brothers and sister-in-law, Egbert Beenen, John and Ava Beenen. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 63 years, Doug Vander Velde; children, Ted and Adelle Vander Velde, Gary and Ana Vander Velde, Dan (in heaven) and Brenda Vander Velde, Mary and Cam Meyer; grandchildren, Jake and Janessa Vander Velde, Elijah and Holly Vander Velde, Isaac and Sara Vander Velde, Ethan Meyer, Meghan Meyer, Cole Meyer, Briana Vander Velde, Lily Vander Velde; three great grandchildren, Cora, Thomas, and Wayland; siblings, Swanee and Raymond Visser, Jeri and Jim Kett, Tina and Dennis Persenaire; sister-in-law, Deeny Beenen; several loving nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, July 23 at 11 a.m. at MKD Funeral Home, 1601 Post Dr.NE, Belmont, with Rev. Josh Grimes officiating. The burial will take place at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. Relatives and friends may meet the family on Thursday, July 23, from 10-11 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home.