Clara Vanderlaan

Clara Jean (Elhart-Slagh) VanderLaan, age 87 of Grandville, passed away on Saturday, August 10th after a 4 1/2 year battle with pancreatic & lung cancer.She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Helen (Andrews) & Theodore Elhart; first husband, James Slagh; her second husband, Harvey VanderLaan; son, Mark Slagh; & sister JoAnn Vermetti. Clara is survived by her remaining sons, Douglas (Laura) Slagh; Gerald (Nancy) Slagh; Daughter, Susan Slagh; Daughter-In-Law, Amy Slagh-Lyon; Brother Kenneth (Margaret) Elhart; Stepdaughters, Joy (Paul) Corneliussen, Suzanne Wood, Stepson Kenneth (Sue) Frambes; Sisters-in-law Eleanor Brunsell & Dorothy VanderLaan. She is also survived by her Grandchildren, Lisa (Mike) Reinke, James, Kevin, & Andrew Slagh, Jessica (Jamie) Sinke, David (Gaby) Dashwood, Steven & Katelyn Slagh, Kirsten, Hanna, & Sara Corneliussen. Also, her great-grandchildren Kaden, Carter, Joanna & Makenna. She will be missed by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, & friends. Clara was employed 35 years by local auto dealerships in Holland and Hudsonville. She was actively involved in the lives of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren throughout their lives; babysitting, attending numerous sporting and musical events along with volunteering when needed. She was a charter member of Georgetown United Methodist Church, and was also very involved with the work & mission of the United Methodist Women, serving as an officer at the local, district, & conference levels for many years. Visitation & Memorial Service will be held at Georgetown UMC in Jenison on Saturday, August 24th, 2019. Visitation 10:00am - 11:30am, Memorial Service at 11:30am. Luncheon will follow with continuing visitation as needed. Memorial contributions may be made to Georgetown United Methodist Church 2766 Baldwin Street - Jenison 49428 To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Clara Vanderlaan, please visit our flower store.