Verona "Ronnie" VanderVen, age 94, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 1, 2025. She will be remembered by family and friends for her strength, resilience, and faith in God and her fiercely loyal love for all she held dear. In her later years, Ronnie accomplished a lifelong goal of becoming a published author when she published an autobiographical memoir. Verona was born on November 16, 1930, to Andrew Belan and Mary (Svelka) Belan in Chicago, lllinois. Verona married Arthur William VanderVen on July 2, 1949. Her beloved husband, Art "Dutch" preceded her in death on June 26, 2012 after almost 63 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her beloved granddaughter Sandy Heyl, and by her beloved sisters and brothers, Bozenka "Bessie" Cerny, Ruth Marquand, Gloria Malina, Steven Belan and David Belan.

Verona attended Austin High School in Chicago and continued her education at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan, graduating with her master's degree in English. She then continued a degree in the Russian Language at Middlebury College in Vermont. Ronnie taught in Grand Rapids Public Schools and at Godwin High School. She also taught the Russian language at various schools and colleges in Grand Rapids. Ronnie is survived by her beloved daughters, Diane VanderVen Arends, Ruth (Larry) Shafer, and Robin VanderVen Meade, and her son, Gregg VanderVen; grandchildren, Elizabeth (Eric) Gonzalez, John (Ann) Arends, Will Collins, Andrew (Becca) Lautzenheiser, Johanna (Bryan Alvarez) VanderVen, Juli VanderVen, Nathan (Aubrey) Meade; great-grandchildren Aurelia, Crista, Ethan and Jakin Gonzalez; Aria & Jianna Arends; Alfred Lautzenheiser; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.

A celebration of Ronnie's life will be held on February 15, 2025 at Hope Lutheran Church, 100 Packard, SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506, at 11 o'clock a.m. The gravesite burial will follow immediately after the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Grand Rapids Right to Life, Po Box 901, Grand Rapids, MI 49509-0901.