Verna Marie Kimsey

Verna Marie Kimsey (Vallentgoed) died November 16, 2024, in Kalamazoo, MI, of natural causes. Verna, known to her friends and family as Marie, was born in Detroit and grew up on a dairy farm outside of town. She moved to Kalamazoo to attend Western Michigan University and never left. Marie is pre-deceased by her husband Ernest Neil Kimsey and survived by six children, eleven grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, her sister Helena, and many extended Kimsey and Vallentgoed family members.

Marie devoted most of her life to her family, and she loved being surrounded by as many family members as possible and as often as possible. While her children were young, Maire volunteered at school events, attended games - cheering enthusiastically any time the announcer called the name of one of her children, and even joined the Otsego school board. Marie also loved to play games, and she passed that love on to her children. Game nights were eagerly anticipated, and Marie made sure they were fun for everyone with lots of laughter as well as competition.

Marie also had a creative side, which she expressed through a variety of crafts. From fabric painting, to ceramics, to tole painting and other fiber arts, Marie created works of art to fill her home and clothe her children. She eventually turned from creating to helping others create - first by running a ceramics workshop in her home (including the garage, which never housed a car but did house a kiln, a pouring table her husband Neil built, and myriad ceramic molds) and then by teaching tole painting at the Artistree. Marie attempted to pass on her love of creating to her children as well - most notably counted cross stitch, knitting, and crocheting. She was partially successful; knitting and crocheting stuck with two of her children.

Another creative endeavor of Marie's was flower gardening. It was a spring ritual for Marie to visit the local nurseries and buy multiple flats of flowers to plant. Marie also grew a variety of perennials with roses being her favorite. It was a sign that summer was coming in the Kimsey household when Marie made bouquets of daffodils for her children to take to their teachers. For Christmas, Marie would buy bouquets of carnations to decorate the house, and she marked the start of Fall with the last of the roses.

Perhaps Marie's most remarkable trait was her generosity of spirit. She helped found the Oshtemo branch of the Kalamazoo Public Library and volunteered regularly there. She participated in her children's and grandchildren's lives though volunteering not only at their school events but also by teaching them to give back to others. She volunteered at Texas Corners Bible Church as well; she helped the nursery and vacation bible school, and she put together packages for members in the military as well as offering assistance for other charitable initiatives. After her husband died, Marie volunteered at Hospice and, in one of her most memorable roles, dressed up as the "flu bug" to encourage seniors to get their annual vaccinations.

Marie will be missed by all those who were blessed to spend time with her. Her memorial service will be on June 21, 11:00 a.m., at Texas Corners Bible Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The Kimsey family request that gifts be donated to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission in Marie's name in lieu of flowers or other gifts.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Marie's guestbook and/or share your favorite memory with her family.

The Kimsey family is being cared for by the Avink, McCowen & Secord Funeral Homes and Cremation Society, 129 South Grand Street, Schoolcraft, MI 49087 (269) 679-5622.