Nellie G. Ver Voort

Nellie G. Ver Voort (Lamers), 89, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2018. She was born on May 12, 1928 to the late Arnold and Nellie Lamers. Eleven children were in the family and she was the youngest daughter. As the story goes she was the spoiled child and as she recalled “Grandpa's favorite”. She had a wonderful childhood and loved her brothers and sisters dearly.

Mom met the love of her life Joseph Ver Voort in 1943 and they were married on November 19, 1946. He preceded her in death on August 29, 1976.

Mom and Dad lived in Combined Locks during their entire marriage. It was a time when life was lived simply. Mom was a stay at home mom and dad worked in the mill. Mom was chief disciplinarian for 7 kids and took her job seriously! She also knew how to stretch a dollar. We had huge gardens and canned and pickled the entire summer. Mom and Dad would host corn roasts, which we loved, every summer for the neighborhood. We had many great neighbors and just as many great memories. Mom's best friend was Flossy De Goey. Every night after supper their little piece of sanity would be to play Yahtzee and would keep a running tally of wins and losses for years. Jerry Kamps Bar was a favorite neighborhood meeting spot on a Saturday night and years later people always asked how Mom and Dad were doing because they were so much fun in their younger years!

Mom made sure we had new clothes for Easter and every Sunday we would wear our “good” clothes to church. She taught us how to be hard workers, sit quietly in church, and to be humble.

Mom will be missed by her children: Barb Schuh, Joe (Sandy) Ver Voort, Betsy (Tony) Wisneski, Dick (Mary) Ver Voort, Jerry (Cheri) Ver Voort, Patty Ver Voort, and Terry (Lori) Ver Voort. 12 grandchildren: Joe (Heidi) Schuh, Nick (Diane) Schuh, Karen (Greg) Hartjes, Paul (Julie) Wisneski, Marie (Will) Boll, Katie (Matthew) Lephardt, Tim (Jamie) Ver Voort, Abby (Reid) Linwood, Jake Ver Voort, Max Ver Voort, Nicole Ver Voort and Nathan Ver Voort and 20 great grandchildren. She is also survived by sisters-in-law Theresa Lamers, Pat Lamers, Ellen Lamers, Marge Holcomb, Millie Ver Voort, and Sr. Jean Anthony Ver Voort.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her son-in-law Chuck Schuh, and brothers and sisters: Harry Lamers, John (Julie) Lamers, infant sister Marie Lamers, Casey (Dorothy) Lamers, Ann (Rich) Pynenberg, Marie (Tony) Greco, Arnold (Theresa) Lamers, Harriet (Bernard) Zack, Frank Lamers, and Herman Lamers, She was also preceded in death by 14 of our dad's brothers and sisters: Harriet (Henry) Vanevenhoven, Marie (Antone) Van Nuland, Catherine Ver Voort, Peter (Ruth) Ver Voort, Arnold (Virginia) Ver Voort, Jack (Katie) (Beth) Ver Voort, Richard Ver Voort, Robert (Katie) Ver Voort, George (Joannie) Ver Voort, Agnes Ver Voort, Theresa (Frank) Van Stappen, Tony Ver Voort, Jim Ver Voort, and Marge Ver Voort.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, February 10, 2018 at 11:00 am at St. Paul Catholic Church in Combined Locks. Fr. Andrew Kysely celebrant. Private inurnment St. Paul Cemetery. Family and friends may gather at St. Paul Catholic Church, Saturday, from 9:00 am until time of Mass.

We cannot express our gratitude for the loving care given to Mom by the staff at St. Paul Home. We had such comfort and peace knowing how she was loved by the staff on Apple Tree Court and Poppy Lane. At the end of Mom's life, the compassionate hospice staff walked with Mom in faith and dignity along her journey home to Jesus.