Carol (VanderMeer) DeGoede

Carol Jane DeGoede, age 80, of Grand Rapids, MI passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29, 2026, surrounded in love by her family.

Mrs. Carol (VanderMeer) DeGoede was born in Grand Rapids, MI, on September 3, 1945, the daughter of Jacob and Marian (Huber) VanderMeer. On May 6, 1966, she married Donald R. DeGoede at Oakdale Reformed Church; he survives. Her two children also survive her: Kurt DeGoede (Beth) of Mount Joy, PA, and Julie (DeGoede) May (Scott) of Fishers, IN. Five grandchildren lovingly remember her: Nathaniel DeGoede, Grace (May) Donnell (Thomas), Anna DeGoede, Derek May, and Elise May. Also surviving are her sisters, Janice Berrevoets (John) and Marcia DeVries (Roger); her brother, Jack VanderMeer (Shellee); and several nieces and nephews.

Carol graduated from Ottawa Hills High School in 1963.  She worked as a secretary for the Superintendent of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board of Education.  After Kurt was born, she stayed home to raise their two children.  She volunteered and then worked at Ken-O-Sha Elementary School, where Kurt and Julie attended. Later, she went on to be the office manager for orthopedic surgeon Dr. Cheryl Sales.  Carol was very active in her church, New Life Reformed, and then Fifth Reformed, where she loved singing in the choirs.  She was an avid seamstress and crafted countless projects, including Julie’s wedding dress and a cross-stitched quilt.  She also loved baking, knitting, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren.

The family will receive friends at the Metcalf & Jonkhoff Funeral Home, 4291 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, from 3-5 p.m. on Friday, April 17, and from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at Fifth Reformed Church, 2012 Griggs St., Grand Rapids, where A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. with her pastor, Jon Sherrill officiating.  Interment at Rest Lawn Memorial Park, Grand Rapids.

For those who wish, memorials may be made to the Music Program at Fifth Reformed Church.

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