“Well done good and
faithful servant.” We have to believe that these were likely the first
words that Mary heard as she finished the race and achieved eternal life on
January 19th while in hospice care at Pine Haven's Haven Drive Campus at the
age of 82. Mary Sue Veenendaal was born on September 22, 1935 to Everett D. and
Jeanette (Swart) Harmeling at Memorial Hospital in Sheboygan. A woman of
tremendous faith and strong conviction Mary will always be remembered as a
generous, gentle, humble and forgiving soul who always had a smile on her face
and was dearly loved by everyone who knew her. She suffered life's losses
and disappointments with a rare amount of grace and was truly a prayer warrior
which is how she always handled life's hardships and set the example for us
all. Her absence will leave a terrible void for every one of her family members
and friends who truly loved her.
Mary was a 1953 graduate
of Oostburg High School and then went on to attend West Suburban Hospital
School for Nurses in Oak Park, Illinois graduating in 1956. She then went on to
work in the Children's Ward at Memorial Hospital for a few years before moving
on to Pine Haven Christian Home on Giddings Avenue in Sheboygan Falls. She
eventually became head nurse there and stayed on for nearly 20 years before
leaving so that she could go back to “good old bedside nursing” at Sunny Ridge
for several years until her retirement in 1996.
Mary was united
in marriage to Roland Veenendaal on July 26th, 1958 at the First Reformed
Church in Hingham and they stayed married for over 56 years until his death in
2015. The two of them cherished their friendships and loved to have people over
for meals and visiting, especially around the holidays. She absolutely loved to
cook and if anyone left Mary’s house hungry it was their own fault as there were
always plenty of leftovers. They also loved cards and other games and took many
family vacations together creating many wonderful memories for their children.
Mary was also the
first Block Parent in the Sheboygan Falls “helping hand” program in 1973 which
was designed to help neighborhood kids stay safe. Other charities that Mary was
an avid supporter of The Salvation Army, Samaritan’s Purse, American Bible
Society, and among many others. In addition to all of this they sponsored
several children from around the world through the World Vision Program.
Other hobbies and
interests of Mary’s include watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, Dr. Phil, cooking
shows and of course WVCY. She also enjoyed attending sporting events or
watching them on tv and was a fan of all the Wisconsin sports teams. Her
favorite movie was The Sound of Music.
Mary is survived by her children, Beth Veenendaal, Brian (Alisa)
Veenendaal and Bradley (Shannon) Veenendaal all of Sheboygan; five
grandchildren, Rachel Veenendaal, Katie (Hallie) Jennerman, Tyler Ross, Makenna
and Bryson Veenendaal; two great-grandchildren, Devyn Jennerman and Aaniyah
Ross; one brother, Mark (Miriam) Harmeling of CA; one brother-in-law, Paul
Veenendaal of Sheboygan and two sisters-in-law, Ruth Veenendaal of Menomonee
Falls and Betty Harmeling of Oostburg. She is further survived by nieces,
nephews, other relatives and friends.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Roland;
one brother Ed Harmeling; and one niece, Sherry Harmeling.
A funeral service to celebrate Mary’s life will be held on
Saturday, January 27, 2018 at 11am at the First Reformed Church in Sheboygan
Falls with Rev. David VanDixhorn officiating. Burial will be held at Sheboygan
Falls Cemetery.
Relatives and friends may greet the family on Friday, January 26,
2018 at the Wenig Funeral Home in Sheboygan Falls from 4-7pm and again on
Saturday, January 27, 2018 at the CHURCH from 10 am until the time of service
at 11am.
A memorial fund is being established in her name.
For online condolences and additional information please visit
www.wenigfh.com
The staff of the Wenig Funeral Home of Sheboygan Falls (920-467-3431)
is assisting the Veenendaal family with arrangements.
