Linda VanderLaan

Linda Jane VanderLaan, age 81, of Fennville MI, passed away Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at Douglas Cove Healthcare Center.

Born to William and Virginia (Bierly) Lucus of Columbus, Ohio on January 31, 1941. Linda was raised as the oldest of three daughters in Peoria and Collinsville, Illinois. She graduated from Collinsville High School in 1959 as a member of the national honors society. She went on to earn a degree in Occupational Therapy from Western Michigan University in 1963.

Linda married David VanderLaan in February of 1963 and they lived in the Metro Detroit area for the next 37 years of their lives. She worked as a registered occupational therapist with the Pontiac Public School System, where she used meaningful activities to help children to promote physical and mental health and well-being. Linda retired in 1998 and moved to the Saugatuck/Douglas area with her husband David.

Linda was an active member of the community, where she enjoyed being a member of the Saugatuck Women’s club and an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church. She was a member of All Saints Episcopal Church Vestry where she had an active part in planning and organizing the renovation of the church retreat center and church kitchen. Linda was an accomplished water color painter and artist.

Linda was preceded in death by her sister Francis Lucas

She is survived by her husband of 59 years, David VanderLaan and their 3 children: Christine Davidson of Flushing MI, Derek VanderLaan of Geneva IL, and Peter VanderLaan of Ann Arbor MI; 4 grandchildren, Curtis VanderLaan, Victoria VanderLaan, Sage Ward, and Mackenzie Davidson; sister: Carol Martens and nieces Jodi Powers and Francis Spooner and favorite cousin Ken Kruese.

Linda’s family was the most important part of her life and she leaves behind a legacy of compassion, kindness and good will. She will be remembered fondly by all those who knew her.

A memorial service will be held at All Saints Episcopal Church, 252 Grand Street in Saugatuck, MI on Friday, April 22, 2022 at 11:00 am. Rev. Dr. Jay Johnson will be officiating. Burial will be in Mt. Ever Rest Memorial Park in Kalamazoo, MI. In lieu of flowers the family requests donations in her memory to the Endowment Fund of All Saints Episcopal Church.

Arrangements are by Dykstra Funeral Homes-Saugatuck Chapel.