Venessa Belle Conrad

On Saturday, January 30, 2021, Venessa "Ve" B. Conrad (Marshall), of Lansing, MI passed away at the age of 90. Venessa was born August 4, 1930 in Lansing, MI where she graduated from Lansing Eastern in 1948. On March 4, 1950 Venessa married her husband of over 60 years Robert (Bob) Conrad who preceded her in death in 2010. Also preceding her in death is her father Otto Marshall, her mother Nina Belle Marshall, brother Doug Marshall, and sister Kay Mann. After graduating high school, Venessa worked in inventory and stocking at the J.W. Knapp Company department store "Knapp's" in Lansing, MI. It was during this time that she met her soon to be husband, Bob, while at a local roller skating rink who caught her attention by fibbing and saying he worked for the FBI.

Shortly after marriage, while both working at Fisher Body, Venessa and her husband Bob set out to literally build a home together by purchasing a plot of land on Bergman street in Lansing. There they spent almost the entire following two years building by hand the home they would raise their three daughters in and reside in for the next 60 years, using blueprints they had purchased from an ad within the local paper.

Once settled, Venessa started her career as a seamstress from the basement of that home. Starting with just a few contacts, over several years she built her clientele base and her reputation as one of the most sought after seamstresses in the Lansing area. It was through this craft that Venessa provided countless outfits to her daughters and later grandchildren and supported over one hundred brides with their dress creation or alterations leading up to their wedding day. Throughout the years, Venessa crafted all three of her daughter's wedding and bridesmaid dresses, and one granddaughter's wedding dress to support their nuptials as well. Venessa and her husband enjoyed countless cross-country trips and years of comradery as members of the Vintage Chevrolet Car Club of America (VCCA), where she volunteered for almost 21 years (1993-2013) as membership secretary for the lower Michigan region.

The two also enjoyed spending time at Houghton Lake with their family during the MI summer months. Venessa led a life of volunteerism and always did what she could to give back to any community she belonged to. She gave her time to the Red Cross centers in Lansing, and later in life McLaren hospital (formally Lansing General) where she aided as a receptionist and guided family and friends to their loved ones and later supported the infusion center by prepping the needs for new patients coming in.

While wintering in Florida, in addition to enjoying the good weather and day trips with her husband and friends, Venessa served on the board of their residential community of Pinecrest Mobile Home Park. She also put her sewing and creation skills to use for those in need creating countless quilts for those in the hospital with the help of her Quilters Guild, donating hundreds of personally hand crafted baby hats for newborns at Lansing hospitals, and crafting mittens for children in need locally.

Even in the weeks preceding her death, she supported her residential community by not just playing, but calling bingo, at Great Lakes Christians Home in Holt where she also took great care in keeping the residential community library in order for other residents to enjoy throughout her years there. Venessa made friends easily at every stage of her life, always being the first to welcome newcomers, likely in hopes of having a new connection to invite over to play cards, a passion of hers. She was also witty, loved laughter and relished in sharing with others the latest cheesy joke, and warm, always cherishing time spent catching up with family and friends over a hot cup of coffee.

Venessa is survived by her three children, Cris Conrad-Alexander of Lansing, Connie Rulison of Lansing, and Patti (Terry) Powers of Lansing, her five grandchildren, Tina (Jay) Crumley, Sally Powers, Sherri (William Albrecht) Powers, Robert Rulison, and Caroline (Jason) Miller. Venessa was also a proud great grandmother of four and great-great grandmother of one.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please make a donation to your favorite charity in her name or find a way to support a community effort close to your heart or in need of your skill sets in her honor within the coming year. Private Family Services will be held. The family is being served by Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel. To leave an on-line condolence please visit www.grlansing.com.