Vonda Lee Tubergen, age 72, of Dorr, died Saturday, July 13.
Husband Bill knew Vonda for 54 years, and they were married for 52.5 of those years. They did everything together. Her favorite places to spend vacation were Traverse City, Peshawbestown, just north of Suttons Bay, and Sally and Terris’ cabin by Bear Lake in Kalkaska.
She also loved visiting her brother (Louis) and sister (Roselle) in California.
Vonda was a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa Chippewa Indians. Her native roots and traditions were something she kept close to her heart. Vonda was born in Manistique.
Her father, James, worked for a lumber company cutting trees. He worked in the Grand Marais and Munising area. He also found work as a hunting guide in the area. Sometime around the year 1964, they moved to Grand Haven. In August of 1970, Vonda met Bill and fell in love. They moved near the farm Bill grew up on in Burnips, to raise their family.
On Dec. 18, 1971, they decided to tie the knot. They lived in a nearby trailer until June of 1979 when they built a home on the hill just to the west of Bill’s family farm.
Her favorite hobbies included her crossword books, bingo, going for walks, and watching old western shows. She loved to mow her grass and care for her flowers. She was a relentlessly caring mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who loved her family more than anything.
She is survived by her husband, William Tubergen, Sr.; son, William Tubergen, Jr.; daughter, Mary Marie (Mike Sr.) Van Vels ; Ex-son-in-law, Richard Klifman; grandchildren Crystal Van Vels, Mikey Van Vels (girlfriend, Amber), Mileah Van Vels (boyfriend, Michael), Dalton Sage Klifman; great-grandchildren Aaleia, Daniel James, and Benjamin Van Vels, Jackson, Emma, and Hannah Van Vels, Michael Van Vels; brother, Louie (Diana) Williams.
She was preceded in death by parents James Eli Williams Sr. and Julia Williams; daughter, Judy Ann Klifman; and nine siblings Rozel Mills, Carol Cornish, Stella Childs, Sandy Easterling, Susie Oskeredcar, Harold Williams, Johnny Williams, Jerry Williams and James Williams Jr.
Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, July 18, at Kubiak-Cook Funeral Home, 4330 18th Street, Dorr. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, July 19, at the funeral home with visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the service. Following the service a lunch will be served at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 4125 18th St. Dorr.
