Nancy Jeanne (Grinage) VanderPloeg

Nancy Jeanne (Grinage) VanderPloeg, age 89, went to live with her Heavenly Father on March 30, 2026. She was born on March 24, 1937, and lived a life marked by dedication to her family, her profession, and her community.

Nancy was preceded in death by her parents, Cyrus and Jeanne (Irwin) Grinage; her beloved husband, Henry Richard VanderPloeg; her son, Henry Richard VanderPloeg II; her daughter-in-law, Barbara Ann DeCamp-VanderPloeg; her son-in-law, Lawrence “Larry” Truax Jr.; and her brothers, Larry, William “Bill,” David Scott, and Leon Grinage.

She is lovingly remembered by her daughters: Denise Truax and Darcia (John) Artz; her brothers: Les and Cleon (LeeAnn) Grinage and her sister-in-law, Cathy (Larry) Grinage. She was a proud and devoted grandmother to Alexandria Truax, Courtney (Bret) McGlathery, Cy Truax, Hillary (Kevin) Hall, John Frederick Artz, and Kaleigh (Mark) Drake. Nancy was also blessed with 15 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-granddaughters, all of whom brought her immense joy.

Nancy graduated from Martin High School in 1956 and married the following year. In 1957, she also graduated from Borgess Nursing School, beginning a remarkable 40-year career in nursing at Borgess Hospital, where she served with compassion, skill, and unwavering dedication.

Beyond her professional life, Nancy was deeply involved in her community. She taught 4-H, ceramics, and sewing classes, sharing her talents and nurturing creativity in others. She found joy in sewing, reading, cooking, baking, gardening, canning, cake decorating, and catering alongside one of her closest friends. Above all, she cherished time spent with her family and neighbors.

Nancy will be especially remembered for her warmth, her generous spirit, and her legendary potato salad, which became a cherished staple at family gatherings.

Her legacy lives on in the lives she touched, the family she loved, and the traditions she passed down. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.

Please visit with family and friends on Monday, April 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Plainwell United Methodist Church; 200 Park Street, Plainwell, MI 49080. A funeral service will take place at 1:00 at the same location. Memorial Donations can be made to Plainwell United Methodist Church.

While visiting Nancy’s webpage at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please sign the guestbook and/or share a memory with the family.

The family is being assisted by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 120 S. Woodhams St. Plainwell, MI 49080 (269-685-5881).