Kay was born on July 11, 1940, in Tipp City, Ohio, to Gordon and Juanita (Brown) Van Orman and was raised in Lakeview, MI. She retired from Muskegon Public Schools where she was a bus driver for many years. Kay enjoyed playing bingo, mushroom hunting, fishing, hunting, bonfires, poems, and playing cards. She will be mostly remembered as a great mom and grandmother.
Kay was preceded in death by her husband, Richard VanVliet, her parents, her brother Frank VanOrman, sister-in-law JoAnn VanOrman, and her grandson Sean Sessa.
Kay is survived by her children, Vernon (Diane) Robinson, Judy Houseman, Janet (Bryan) Harrell, Pam (Jim) Sessa, Jeff (Mindy Gordon) Robinson, and Marge (Dan Baatz) Nichols; grandchildren Michael and Jack Robinson, Jody (Erin Spytma) Houseman, Jenny (Ayman) Al-Saee, Jill Houseman, Kevin Nelson, Kristen (Cory) Mahoney, Jamie Sessa, Jen (Regi) Shelley, Chase Robinson, Mandy (Tony Griffin) Clark, Alyssa (Trevor David) Clark, Tyler Nichols, Matt Keith, Ashleigh (AJ) Kies; sisters Bonnie Jorgensen and Nan Riley; many beloved great-grandchildren, extended family, and friends.
At her request, cremation has taken place and her ashes will be buried in Oakhurst Cemetery of Whitehall. A celebration will take place at a later time.
Kay's daughter, Marge, wrote the following poem in her honor.
Kay Babe!
My mom’s name was Kay
She was the greatest in every way
She always had a smile on her face
No matter the time or the place
For every occasion, she liked to write poems
I think she even wrote one about some gnomes!
She went to Heaven yesterday
Her long battle with cancer, finally took her away
She loved bingo, cards, and mushroon’in
Her children, grand children and great grandchildren
She had so many friends and family that loved her
Please know for them, she fought with all her power
But in the end, even though she loved us so
We begged her to just let go. To be with God and to feel His grace
She’s no longer in pain and once again has a smile on her face
She’s looking down at all of us now, sending her love from that special place
So I had to write a poem for her because it seemed so fitting
And hopefully you will find it to be funny and maybe even a bit uplifting
This poem is not as good as hers for that I am sure
But when you read it, please have a smile on your face, and always think of her
In loving memory of the best Mother anyone could ever ask for!
Kay Arlene Van Vliet
7/11/1940 to 4/7/2024
COMPARTA UN OBITUARIO
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