Dorothy Evelyn Versen (DeVries) passed away peacefully surrounded by family on January 21, 2024.
She leaves behind a loving husband, Randy Versen; her children, Kate (Steve) Bratschie, Laurie (Don) Burmeister, Karen (Jim) VerDuin, Ellen Warn, Randy Versen, Wendy (Brian) Conner; her brother Norm Devries (Noreen Gallagher); and many adoring grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dorothy was preceded in death by her late husband, William Warn; mother, Evelyn DeVries; father, Edward DeVries.
Dorothy embodied strength and resilience, raising four young girls after her first husband, Bill Warn, passed away after 18 years of love and marriage. Then one fateful day in line at Helmholdt’s Wallpaper & Paint Store, Dorothy met Randy and their family grew. Together they built a life filled with love, community, and commitment to one another.
Dorothy will be remembered by her legacy of 19 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren that will continue to honor her spirit of kindness, levity, and strength beyond her death. Her love of all of them was shown through timely birthday cards, dedication to their sporting games, graduations, weddings, and important life events. Dorothy could be found playing with the youngest of them on the floor at her home, and supporting each of them wherever their passions may lie. She kept in touch with all of her family far and wide, and always had a way of saying she should let someone get off the phone but would continue to talk for another thirty minutes.
Dorothy was kind and welcoming. She was someone who listened and made you feel special. It was a running joke between the grandchildren about who was the favorite, because she made each one feel as though they were. Dorothy will be remembered for her chocolate chip cookies, lemon bars, sticky buns, lunchtime grilled cheese with tomato soup, and splitting meals with her husband, Randy. She was an avid knitter and passed along her skills and knitted gifts to many including her children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. Dorothy was witty and laughed easily, she had many inside jokes that have continued for years. While she often did not like photos of herself, she had a beautiful smile that filled the hearts of so many.
She found community in her local church and Sharon Guild and in her neighbors that treated her as family. Dorothy spent her days alongside her husband Randy, reading, knitting, looking at photos, visiting with weekly coffee friends, meeting neighbors for Thirsty Thursdays and having a revolving door of visiting family.
Dorothy was a friend, wife, mother, and grandmother to all who knew her. She was selfless and loved easily. She will be missed immensely but stories and memories of her will continue to be shared long after her death.
Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday February 10, 2024, from 11am-2:30pm with Words of Remembrance at 12pm at The Sweet House Foundation, 254 Fulton Street E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Refreshments will be provided. In lieu of flowers please send donations to Treetops Collective or Family Promise.
One Response
Dorothy was a friend from high school. Although we didn’t see each other often,we remained friends for all these years. My sympathy goes to her family. Jane