Veronika Elisabeth Heib, 91, died on November 27, 2025, at White Oaks memory care, in Lawton, MI. Veronika was born in March 1934, in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (now Serbia), to Josef and Theresia (Riedl) Geist. In October 1944, Veronika, her mother, sister, and other family members left their home to escape civil war and advancing Russian troops. Her father had already been drafted into military service. As ‘ethnic Germans’ (Donauschwaben), Veronika and her family were settled as citizen refugees in Grötzingen, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, where they lived until immigrating to Kalamazoo, MI, in 1959.

Prior to her marriage, Veronika worked as a bookkeeper for a construction firm. Veronika met her future husband, Egon, while taking dance lessons in Germany. They enjoyed ballroom dancing for many years as members of the German-American Club of Kalamazoo. She and Egon were active members of the Schoolcraft United Methodist Church where Veronika was part of the United Methodist Women’s group.

Veronika was preceded in death by her husband, Egon; and granddaughter, Cheryl Marie Heib.

She is survived by a daughter, Dagmar Heib (Ben Behrman), son, Andrew (Nannette) Heib; grandchildren, Anthony (Kaisa) Heib, Erika (Scott) Fortman, Rachel (Jonny) Finch, and Elena (Erik) Brown, and great-grandchildren: Luca, Elias, Devin, Emilia, and Clara Heib; Hannah and James Fortman; Judah, Ruth, Josie, and Ada Finch. Veronika is also survived by her sister and brother-in law, Erika and Nick DeVries, brother-in-law, Hermann Heib, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held on Veronika’s birthday in 2026 with details to be announced. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to Shriner’s Children’s or the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission.

While at www.amsfuneralhomes.com please take time to sign Veronika’s guestbook and share your favorite memory with her family.

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