Sharon Lee Vredevoogd

Sharon was born October 24, 1934, in Grand Rapids, Michigan to Kathryn Myers and Eli Karrip. She was a proud graduate of Godwin Heights High School, class of 1952. On August 31, 1956, Sharon married the love of her life, Don W. Vredevoogd, with whom she shared nearly 68 years of marriage until Don’s passing in 2024. Together, they built a life centered on family, hard work, and deep community roots.

Sharon’s career reflected her versatility and work ethic. For the first 15 years of her marriage, she was a homemaker while raising her four children. She later served as Director of Special Promotions at Sandy Pines when it opened in the early 1970s and worked in sales at Morley Brothers where her efforts selling the first microwave ovens resulted in winning several incentive trips. In 1979, she returned to school at Lou-Rog School of Hair Design to become a cosmetologist. She built a clientele at The Hairport in Grandville, where she worked for many years. In early retirement, she and Don shared their many talents with involvement at Kathy’s Dance Company. No matter the role, Sharon brought warmth, dedication, and genuine care to everyone she encountered.

Sharon was preceded in death by her husband, Don Vredevoogd; mother and father, Kathryn Myers and Eli Karrip, and son-in-law, Hamid Najmolhoda. She is survived by her children Kathy Najmolhoda, Mike (Michelle) Vredevoogd, Jeff (Loanne) Vredevoogd; and Dean (Stephanie) Vredevoogd. She was a proud grandmother to ten grandchildren and a cherished great-grandmother to ten great-grandchildren, with four more on the way. She is also survived by her brother, Sam (Doreen) Karrip; and brother-in-law, John (Joan) Vredevoogd; along with many extended family members and dear friends.

Above all else, Sharon’s proudest achievement was the love she poured into countless individuals across her family and community as “Grandma Sharon." To know Sharon was to be loved by Sharon, unconditionally, generously, and wholeheartedly. Her kindness, steady presence, and quiet strength leave a lasting imprint on all who were fortunate enough to be part of her life.

Her legacy lives on through the many lives she touched, the family she cherished, and the love she gave so freely. Sharon and Don were Heritage Circle members of the Grandville Education Foundation. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name: Grandville Education Foundation, 3843 Prairie Street SW, Grandville, MI 49418 (https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=NYMV8KXUTG78N&ssrt=1766417874918).

A celebration of life will be held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Sunnybrook Country Club, 624 Port Sheldon St. SW, Grandville. A light lunch will be provided.

Memories and messages are welcome at www.cookcaresgrandville.com in her guestbook online.