Karen VanDyke

July 30, 1947 ~
January 28, 2023

Karen VanDyke (Veldhuis), a most remarkable woman, born July 30, 1947, passed peacefully and at rest on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Her time on earth with us was far too short. Our hearts mourn her loss so deeply. We found a note she wrote to us about her end of days, “You may mourn a little, but laugh a lot”. Mingled with our tears, we have been finding laughter too, sharing the abundant memories, stories and love that we have of our life with her. She loved better than anyone we know. She knew how to forgive, how to see the best and how to hope when all seemed hopeless. She shared an unconditional love that she gave freely, with no expectation of return. She would always say, “Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.” She also said, “Life is a learning process that never stops. We grow up through it. Everything is a lesson we can grow and learn from, and apply to our life.”

Karen was both a people lover and an animal lover. She lit up everyone’s life with her special sparkle. Last year she said, “I think my purpose is to bring joy to others, to help them to have something to smile about.” She had been doing that naturally every day for as long as anyone has known her, with any person who ever got within earshot of her. And if she saw someone who needed cheering, or someone she could compliment, she would walk her cute little walk right across the room to them. She was a social butterfly, easily spiking up a conversation with anybody, no matter what walk of life they were from, and anywhere, from an antique show to a grocery checkout lane, and everywhere in between. She would say, “There’s always some good in everyone. Sometimes you just have to look a little harder.” Her optimism went beyond the “Glass half full” to “The Glass is Always Refillable.”

A rare, sparkling, eccentric, quirky, gem she was; Full of humor, a joke always ready to share, a laugh bursting at the seams. She was the ULTIMATE “Go to Girl” for anything. It seemed she was Google before Google was. She had an obsession for, and collection of books. All kinds, from mystery’s (her favorite) to encyclopedias, & how to books. She knew how to find the answer to everything. Although she did not graduate from college, her IQ tested as a master’s degree collegiate. She was brilliant. She was the first woman hi-lo driver at Lear in the 1960’s, and later, a skilled machinist at Clipper Belt Lacer. Her natural aptitude to mechanical skills went far beyond that. She loved a challenge and there wasn’t anything she couldn’t learn or fix, from a carburetor, a radio, a toilet, a watch, a trinket toy, etc. You name it. “Don’t throw it away until Mom looks at it. IF She Can’t Fix it, THEN, it can’t be fixed.” In fact, if the Pearly Gates needed fixing, you could probably find her at that task.

Karen graduated from Kellogsville High School in 1965. She loved and played both fast and slow pitch softball intramurally. She coached elementary teams as well. And let me tell you, she had fire in her throw! Her favorite position was catcher. Post-game celebrations with the team have a special place in our hearts. She loved art and had a keen eye for it. Of her artistic accomplishments, she earned a certification in Graphic Arts Design, but that was just a drop in a bucket overflowing with talent. Her skill went far beyond designing logos, as she could draw and sketch anything from a replica of a photograph to architecture design, freehand and paint entire murals, create beautiful calligraphy poems and cards, and so much more.

Karen retired from her favorite job, caring for special needs children as a teacher’s aide at Lincoln School in Grand Rapids. She and her husband Steve, her soulmate, took to the road with their retirement freedom in the 1936 Chevy that Steve built, and named “The Rat Fink”. Their car is signed by Trixie Roth, wife of Ed Roth, designer of the Rat Fink. A fact they were both so proud of. They fully enjoyed their retirement, spending time with friends and actively involved in their car club, Them Misfits. They went to car shows nearly every weekend, earning many trophies for best car. They toured all around several Midwest states to visit any antique store they could find, never passing one up in any city without stopping at it. They collected several various items, including her very favorite collectible of over 3,500 vintage ladies’ compacts, some of which have been in the Grand Rapids Public Museum.

Karen was a wordsmith, with a love for quotes, words, and poems. Her last days were most difficult, as she suffered from Alzheimer’s and Aphasia, taking from her, all ability to communicate and to hold a thought. She left behind for us many written notes that give us strength, from before these diseases stole her gift away. May this note from her do the same for you, “Please SMILE…. Don’t let that ‘bad day’ win.” And if you so desire, write it out and paste it up with some “Fun-Tac” in her honor.

Karen is survived by her mother, Harriet Stanaback; her children, Kelly Martinez (Rick), Amanda Haynes (Gus), Steve Jr. (Jeana); thirteen grandchildren and five great grandchildren; her nephew, Jason Veldhuis (Jamie), and nieces, Mindy Mench (Doug), and Holly Holthof (Jon); six great nephews and nieces and two great great nieces. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband, Steve VanDyke; her father, Alvin Veldhuis; her step-father, Kenneth Stanaback; her brother, Richard Veldhuis; her nephew, Mitch Veldhuis; her great granddaughter, Isabella Sasso, along with many other family members and friends who are now celebrating her life in Heaven.

Karen’s favorite flower, which she had an abundant collection of both live, and in home décor, is the IRIS. She had left this note to share, “When you see an Iris, think of me, and how very much I love you.” Because, if she knew you, she loved you, unconditionally. Karen’s life here on earth left a beautiful lasting impact that will forever live on.

Funeral services will be held 11:30 am Monday, February 6 at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf, 4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE, Kentwood. Relatives and friends may meet the family Sunday, February 5 from 4-7 pm at the funeral home and on Monday from 10–11:30 am prior to the service at the funeral home.

Visitation
Sunday, February 5
4:00pm - 7:00pm

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Visitation
Monday, February 6
10:00am - 11:30am

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Funeral Service
Monday, February 6
11:30am

MKD - Kentwood
4646 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
Kentwood, MI 49508

Phone: (616) 455-1535

Leave Your Tribute Message

February 01, 2023 5:07pm
I was saddened to hear the passing of Karen! Thinking of her throughout my day, I caught myself giggling at one point because Karen to me, was one of the funniest people Ive come across! She was hilarious with her little self! She sure knew how to light up a room! Rest In Peace, Ms.Karen it was such a pleasure working with you at Lincoln!!!! ❤️

- Patty Mendez

February 01, 2023 8:21am
Karen was one of favorite people to work with at Lincoln School! She always lightened my day. I will miss her wit and caring self. She was one of a kind.

- John Hams




Order flowers for Karen's service.

Designer’s Choice Grand Vase Arrangement

White Wonder

Thinking of You Basket

Tender Touch

Stargazer Garden

Stargazer Easel Spray

Sincere Sympathy Garden

Seasonal Potted Plant (mum, poinsettia, cyclamen, etc.)

Remembrance Easel Spray

Natures Glory

Loving Embrace

Gerbera Greetings

Colorful Memories Wreath

Classic Sympathy

Blooming Duo

Bells of Beauty

Beautiful Memories

Beautiful Blessings Wreath

Floral arrangements provided by Love Knots Floral.

 

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