Gertrude Hilma (Kantola) Veeneman

Gertrude Hilma (Kantola) Veeneman, age 95; went to be with her Lord and Saviour on Tuesday, April 15, 2025. She was born on February 27, 1930 in Ravenna, MI to the late Sylvester H. And Hilma S. (Pietila) Kantola. Gertrude enjoyed raising her 6 children, but she truly loved (and bragged just a bit) being part of all her grandchildren and great grandchildren’s lives. Sunday Nights at Nana’s will be missed the most by her kids and the Cousin Crew, but the memories and family love will last forever. She leaves behind a legacy of love and a little bit of naughtiness. Even though she had a lot of grandchildren, she always made time for everyone that walked through her door. Her love and support made everyone feel so very special. She was a devoted homemaker and was well-loved in her small home town of Coopersville. Gert’s greatest love was her family and her second love was fishing. When fishing was no longer an option for her, her second love was boasting about fishing. She was a lifelong member of the Church of the Saviour and cherished spending time with her Church of the Saviour lady friends, as well as her Saturday Lunch Ladies and her monthly lunches with the Kantola Clan.

Gertrude was preceded in death in addition to her parents by; husband Melvin, son David Veeneman, daughter Elaine Schoenborn and son-in-law Jim Meerman; brothers: Art (Agnes) Kantola, Arnold (Ruth) Kantola, Al (Marge) Kantola, Rudy (Arkie) Kantola and Thomas “Bill” Kantola; sisters: Edna (Ralph) Johnston, Gladys (Ralph) Rogers and Eunice (Dale) Volkers; brothers-in-law John Campbell and Howard Veeneman. Sister-in-law: Mina (Al) Yonkman. Gertrude is survived by her children: daughter-in-law Lorraine Veeneman, Leland (Brenda) Veeneman, Daniel (Sue) Veeneman, Sheryl (Russell) Lillie, son-in-law Herb Schoenborn and daughter Diane Meerman; 40 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren; sister Elizabeth Campbell and sisters-in-law Christine Kantola and Donna Veeneman and many beloved nieces and nephews. Funeral services for Gertrude will be held at Church of the Saviour, 180 N. 68th Ave., Coopersville, MI on Saturday, May 3rd at 11:00 a.m. with Rev. David Kingma and Rev. Larry Doorn officiating. Burial will take place in Coopersville-Polkton Twp. Cemetery. Friends may meet the family from 3-7 pm on Friday, May 2nd, at Throop Funeral Home, 214 Church St., Coopersville, MI.

Rest in peace Mom, Grandma, Nana and Friend. You will be forever missed until we meet again. And we all know that you “Love Us Much Much More.” The End. You Win!

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Church of the Saviour, in memory of Gertrude Veeneman, 180 N. 68th Ave. Coopersville, MI 49404. Condolences for the family may be left on Gertrude’s guestbook at www.throopfh.com.

Throop Funeral Home, Coopersville, Ph. 616-837-8161