Susan VanderMolen's Obituary
Mrs. Susan Ruth VanderMolen, age 94, of Grand Haven, passed away Monday, January 26, 2026. She was born June 15, 1931, in Muskegon, Michigan, to John and Eleanor (Hedlund) Czarneke. On September 28, 1950, she married the love of her life, Jerry VanderMolen, with whom she shared over 75 years of marriage.
She graduated from Muskegon High School and later attended Mercy Central School of Nursing in Grand Rapids. Susan maintained a lifelong involvement in healthcare and went on to volunteer at North Ottawa Community Hospital for more than 30 years. She and Jerry spent many winters in Key Largo and Naples, Florida. They enjoyed boating around the Great Lakes aboard their Bertram and took many memorable family trips to Mackinac Island and Canada on their boat. Motorhome travel was next and allowed them to see the country. Susan enjoyed playing tennis well into her 80s. She was actively involved in her church communities. She and Jerry also cherished their pets and were well known for their love of their Siamese cat and Schnauzer dogs.
She is survived by her husband, Jerry VanderMolen; two daughters, Kathy Vollmer and Kim (Mark) Gleason; four granddaughters, Abby (Michael) Kowaczyk, Katy Castillo, Kelsey (Nicolas) Shepherd, and Kali (Lucas) Haltenhoff; seven great-grandchildren, Karli (Nicholas) Cadreau, Karmen Warden, Seth Kowaczyk, Karima Castillo, Kaila Castillo, Benjamin Kowaczyk, and Kennedy Shepherd; and one great-great-granddaughter, Kiya Cadreau. She is also survived by her sister, Sharon (Julius) Darien; sister-in-law, Loraine Czarneke; brother-in-law, Gordon (Phyllis) VanderMolen; and sister-in-law, Karen Schaner. She was preceded in death by both of her parents; her brother, Ronald Czarneke; and former son-in-law, Gerry Vollmer.
In keeping with her wishes, a private family burial will take place at Lake Forest Cemetery on Saturday, January 31. Memorial contributions in Susan’s memory may be given to Harbor Humane Society. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services.
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