Barbara Weideman's Obituary
Mrs. Barbara Weideman, age 81, of Grand Haven passed away Friday, April 24, 2015 at home. She was born September 17, 1933 in Grand Rapids to Anthony and Adelaide (Drieborg) Donahue. She graduated from Grand Rapids’ Catholic Central High School in 1951 and on May 12, 1956 she married William Weideman in Grand Rapids.
Barb loved life. She was joyful, enthusiastic, grounded, hard-working, and had a wonderful gift of curiosity. Barb’s interests were vast and her sense of adventure and laughter contagious. She designed and sewed her own clothes including her wedding dress as well as those of her sisters. She designed costumes for Ionia Community Theater and enjoyed making her children’s and grandchildren’s Halloween costumes. She danced En Pointe and loved going to the ballet and opera. Music always filled the home and eventually “The Weideman Family Band” was born and they performed for 30 years all over Michigan.
After 17 years of staying home, she volunteered at “The Center” a Community Mental Health (CMH) outreach program for youth. Later, she became a service representative for Manpower of Muskegon, eventually becoming office manager before she retired in 1991. Barb remained friends with her “Manpower girls” and they credit her for mentoring them with her “…style of leadership, friendship and love of family.”
In retirement, she enjoyed reading, working puzzles, genealogy, cooking and mending for family, gardening, and feeding the birds. Her cat Gypsie was her constant companion and followed her everywhere. Winter was her favorite season and she liked to shovel the snow, sometimes, barefooted! She adored her grandchildren who often stayed with her and Bill; she kept in constant contact, watching over them. Barb and Bill visited France many times. Barb loved the city of lights and all things French.
Barb was loved by so many because of her warm and friendly nature, her open and nurturing heart and acceptance of others. She gave her time and love generously as demonstrated by her years of caring for others, including foster children whom she raised as her own.
One of her greatest joys was admiring the view with her husband Bill from their home overlooking Lake Michigan. Bill was the light of her life and kept her laughing with his humor. They held hands for 59 years.
She is survived by her husband Bill, five children: Steven and Thomas Weideman of Grand Haven; Meg Weideman of Ann Arbor, Jennifer (Bernard) Jomard of Paris, France, Laura Weideman of Nashville, nine grandchildren and one great grandson. She is also survived by seven siblings and many nieces and nephews.
A private family burial has taken place in Lake Forest Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Barbara may be given to Harbor Humane Society, Compassion and Choices https://www.compassionandchoices.org or Spectrum Hospice. Please sign the family's online guestbook at www.vbkfuneralhome.com.
The family is being served by VanZantwick Bartels Kammeraad Funeral Home of Grand Haven.
What’s your fondest memory of Barbara?
What’s a lesson you learned from Barbara?
Share a story where Barbara's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Barbara you’ll never forget.
How did Barbara make you smile?
