Dorothy Ann VanDenBerg Obituary
Age 84, went to be with the Lord on Easter Weekend, April 19, 2025. Dorothy was born at her family home in Portage, MI, on December 21, 1940, the daughter of the late Richard and Lucy (Byholt) Smith. On May 8, 1959, she married Kenneth D. VanDenBerg who preceded her in passing on July 26, 2023. Dorothy was kind and gracious. A woman of strong faith, she was a member of First Christian Reformed Church before its merger with other congregations to form Heritage Christian Reformed Church. Dorothy was a proud mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and each brought a unique and special joy to her life.
She made it a point to be involved in their life, stayed current with their achievements and struggles and especially enjoyed attending all of their extracurricular activities. She worked hard to provide a happy home where all were made to feel welcome but also enjoyed her time away at South Haven and Florida. She had a gifted green thumb and took patient care in gathering plants and nursing them back to health. That same care was present in her love for those people around her as well! She was creative and inspiring and found unique ways to show her love, especially during the holidays.
She poured her love into everything she did, including her baked cookies which never lasted long once done. Her greatest love came from making memories and spending a lifetime together with Ken. They were an example of God's gift to each other and of a life well lived. Great peace, comfort and joy come from knowing that she is at home with her Lord and Savior and with her husband Ken. Dorothy is survived by three daughters, Debbie (Mark) Buursma of Portage, Carey VanderMeer of Kalamazoo, and Amy (Jon) VanPutten of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Ashley (Kyle) Mastenbrook, Joshua (Kate) Buursma, Katie (Gabe) White, Nate (Roseanna) VanderMeer, Kristen (Ben) White, Shane Lipsey, Zach Van Putten, Taylor (Tyler) Austin and Luke (Anna) Van Putten; great-grandchildren, Ellery, Annika, Lucy, Etta, Eliza, Kayden, Rylan, McKenzie, Kendall, Victoria, Andre, Annalies, Kenadie, Carson, Hope, Jayce, Rowyn, Parker; siblings, JoAnn (Dick) Blincoe, John Smith, Janice (Jerry) DeBoer; several nieces, nephews, extended family and countless friends.
She was also preceded in passing by an infant son, David Craig VanDenBerg.
