Winifred J. Vandenberg

Winifred J. (Breckenridge) VandenBerg, age 92 of Midland, died Sunday, June 27, 2010 at King's Daughters Home.

Her passing was as she lived; with grace and dignity. She was an educator who taught us lessons of knowledge and life, and who continued to teach us into her final days.

The daughter of the late Floyd and Mabel (Muscott) Breckenridge was born April 8, 1918 in Breckenridge where she was raised and educated, graduating from Breckenridge High School in 1936. Winifred graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree in teaching in 1941. She taught in Dexter and Whitehall, MI before moving to Midland in 1960 where she taught at Eastlawn Elementary School until retiring in 1979.
She received the R.M. Gerstacker Award for Worthiness, Elementary Teacher in 1968, was a member of the Michigan Educational Association, the National Education Association and the John Alden Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Winifred volunteered for many years at the Midland Hospital as a yellow lady, was active at the Midland Community Center and a member of Memorial Presbyterian Church.
She married Lester VandenBerg in 1941 and he predeceased her in 1968. She then married Norman A. Wisniewski in 1975 and he died in 1988. She was also predeceased by her special friend, Gordon Caterer.

Winifred is survived by her son, James (Carolyn) VandenBerg of Texas, L. Craig (Fay) VandenBerg of Midland, J. Greg (Ann) VandenBerg of Midland; daughter, Margy Selby of Midland; grandchildren, Justin, Erika, Kristen, Amy and Jon VandenBerg, Matthew (Stacy) Riley, Emily (Doug) Smith, Joseph Selby; seven great grandchildren; and brother, Don Breckenridge of Kentwood.

Funeral and committal services for Mrs. VandenBerg will be held at 11:00 am, Thursday, July 1, 2010 from Memorial Presbyterian Church with the Reverend Wallace H. Mayton, III officiating. Interment will be in Ridgelawn Cemetery, Breckenridge.
Visitation will be at the Wilson MILLER Funeral Home on Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 pm and at the church on Thursday from 10:00 am until time of service.
Memorials may be offered to Memorial Presbyterian Church.
Personal messages of support may be left for the family at www.wilson-miller.com