Jane Lee Belden

Jane Lee Belden, Mother, Grandmother and Great-grandmother, passed from this life peacefully December 26th, 2016. Jane was born in Xenia, Ohio, June 6th, 1921, to Elizabeth and Fred Belden. Jane’s early years were remarkable for spending time with her grandfather Shoup at the family farm in Dayton. She often reminisced of driving the team of draft horses with wagon loads of hay and thrilled to spend time with her grandfather and the animals. She was particularly fond of horses, saving her pennies at an early age to buy one named Rosie.

Jane was an excellent study, excelling in her classwork as well as athletic pursuits. She achieved notoriety at Beavercreek High School for both. She was active as a thespian, usually cast in the lead role. She attended Ohio University as a biology major, graduating Phi Beta Kappa. Afterward, she worked at a laboratory at the University of Cincinnati, assisting Dr. Albert Sabin in developing an oral vaccine for polio. It was there she met John Vrbanac, a medical student. They married in 1944 and began their family prior to settling in Hart, Michigan where Dr. Vrbanac set up his practice.

Once becoming established in Hart, the family expanded to six very active children. Jane, John and the kids occupied a rambling farmhouse with 60 acres to roam, horses to ride and a pond to cool off in. Jane kept the family in good order, doling out chores to each of her children regularly, making bread for the family every week and providing delicious meals that were ravenously consumed. She was a gracious host to the many people who attended parties and picnics at “The Farm” as it became affectionately known. She was a 4-H leader, taught riding lessons, was active in the hospital auxiliary, and involved with the Congregational Church, serving as a Sunday School teacher. Jane earned her teaching certificate and taught grade school in Muskegon. Though she relocated to Muskegon, she maintained close friendships from her years in Hart.

Foremost in Jane’s life was her devotion to God. She was a pillar in her church community wherever she lived, spending much time in prayer groups. She authored several inspirational books which she freely shared. Over the past year she was still teaching a small group of regulars from one of her works.

Her hands were never idle. Her children were the recipients of many of her delicious home made goodies - breads, cookies, candies, canned goods. She made countless ‘scrubbies’, hot pads, dishcloths, receiving blankets, afghans and other items too numerous to mention. Jane’s energy was boundless; even into her 90’s her family lovingly called her “the Energizer Bunny.” Her flower gardens were legendary, her vegetable gardens bountiful. As time passed, she graciously gave up the things she could no longer do including her lovely home in Muskegon, moving to be closer to family in Haslett where she spent her last years.

Jane will be greatly missed by her family and the many friends she made. Surviving her are her children Elizabeth Payne, John James (Jim) Vrbanac (Mary Delehanty), Ruth Thompson (Kim), Rebecca Rhoads (Ron), Mary Ellen Vrbanac Detwiler (James), Michael Vrbanac (Melissa); grandchildren Richard Payne (Shannon), Lynnette Payne, Erin Rhoads, Tamara Rhoads, Heather Pfefferle (Ryan), Justin Keogh, John Keogh (Kara), Wendy Summers (Justin), Emily Wrenbeck (Phillip), Jill Detwiler, Caitlin Aguilar (Edgar), Alison Vrbanac, Ross Vrbanac; great grandchildren Lily, Violet, Jax and Eve. She was preceded in death by grandson Sam Detwiler who loved being with his grandmother, her brother Fred Belden and sister Louise Burkhardt.

The family is being served by the Gorsline Runcimen Funeral Home in East Lansing. Visitation is January 2 from 5pm to 7 pm. Services will be held at 11 AM on January 3 at the funeral home. A luncheon to follow will be held at Sprit of Christ Church in Haslett.