Mrs. Monica T. VanZanten's Obituary
Mrs. Monica T. VanZanten, 92, passed away peacefully July 8, 2021, at her home. She was born August 2, 1928, to Phillip and Florence (DeMarse) Lathrop in Muskegon and lived most of her life in this area. She had worked at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake before retiring and is currently a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Grand Haven. Monica had an infectious smile and tried finding good in everyone. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, gardening, and traveling, but her family was most important to her. She felt blessed to have a strong faith, family, and friends. On October 5, 1945, she married Russell Ortquist, and he preceded her in death on December 12, 1973. She later married Morris W. VanZanten on November 27, 1981, and he preceded her in death on February 11, 2016. Survivors include 5 children: Donna (Dave) Mulder, Donald (Dinah) Ortquist, Ann Marie “Tina” (Gordon “Chuck”) VanderSchaaf, Mary (Kurt) Nienhouse, Judith (Bruce) Johnson; daughter-in-law: Carol Ortquist; 5 step-children: Janet (Dan) Gomez, Morris W. VanZanten II, Mark VanZanten, Daniel (Barbara) VanZanten, Dean “Andy” (Kathy) VanZanten; 20 grandchildren, many great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by a son, James Ortquist, and a sister, Marcella Seaberg. The funeral for Mrs. VanZanten will be Thursday, July 15, at 1:00 PM at The Lee Chapel of Sytsema Funeral and Cremation Services, 6291 S. Harvey St., Norton Shores, MI 49444. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at Norton Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Mrs. VanZanten may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Disabled Veterans.
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