Carol Verploegh

Carol Lynn (Schippers) Verploegh, age 71, of Grand Haven, passed away peacefully on February 6, 2019, after a long battle with cancer. She was born on October 11, 1947, in Grand Haven, MI, to the late William and Donna (White) Schippers. Carol was born and raised in Grand Haven. A lover of the arts and music drew her away to a bigger city. She moved to Grand Rapids where she raised her family for many years. She had a love for people and was passionate about advocating for social causes and injustices. She also had an innate sense of the world and loved to debate current events and politics. In her working career, she specialized in hospitality, but provided administrative support to the middle school, a prominent local surgeon, and also worked in quality control at Johnson Controls, in Holland. The love of the city drew her away, but Grand Haven and her family always held her heart, and she moved back to the Grand Haven area in 1988. Carol was very close to her father, Bill. He was a WWII vet and active member of the VFW. They were frequently there together socializing, promoting events, or serving in their roles as members. She was the Ladies Auxiliary President from 2007-2012. Carol loved nature, the outdoors and the woods and parks throughout Michigan. She was also an avid reader of novels, history, and poetry, a master solver of crossword puzzles, and cooking. She had a remarkable collection of recipes and cookbooks and was always sharing her favorites with her family and friends. Surviving family members include her daughter, Rebecca (Bill) Rowden; son, Michael (Dawn) Verploegh Jr.; grandchildren, Mikayla, Elissa and Cole Rowden, Kennedy, Ellisyn, and Avery Verploegh; brothers, Bill (Claudia) Schippers and Brian (Kathy) Schippers; sister, Brenda (Russ) Swanson; and many other relatives and friends. Carol was preceded in death by her parents and brothers, Larry and Gary Schippers. The Ladies Auxiliary of the VFW Post 2326, located at 20 N. 1st Street, in Grand Haven, will be providing a luncheon for family and friends in Carol's honor on Saturday, February 16, 2019, at 1:00 p.m. A celebration of life will immediately follow the luncheon from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Carol required assistance the last two years. The family gives the incredibly kind staff at Medi-lodge of Holland and Spectrum Hospice Services their greatest and warmest gratitude. Carol wished to be cremated. She will be buried next to her father and with the ashes of her late companion and favorite dog, Rusty, at Lake Forest Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Carol Verploegh, please visit our flower store.