Hildred (Hildi) Lorraine (Houseman) VanderVeen, age 97, went to be with the Lord on Friday, October 20, 2023. She was born on February 3, 1926, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Melvin and Rena Houseman. Hildi grew up in New Jersey along with her brother, Bart, and sister, Pat where she attended Eastern Academy and graduated as Valedictorian. Following high school, she headed to Wheaton College in the fall of 1944 where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English education in 1948. She remained in the Chicago area taking a teaching position at Chicago Christian High School. She met her husband, Harold VanderVeen in 1948. They married on July 29, 1949, and later established their home in Wheaton. The birth of their six children followed.

Hildi and her husband, Harold, were long-time members of Wheaton Christian Reformed Church (WCRC) and were faithful attendees with their family. She served faithfully with the Care Committee in the church and taught Sunday School for many years. God used her teaching skills as a founder and leader in the Coffee Break Ministry at WCRC for 30+ years, and she was beloved by many in this ministry.

Hildi spent many years serving with The Bible League as a Key Contact in the Chicago area, serving several years as President. She served faithfully with Crossroads Prison Ministry from 2009-2016, mentoring as many as 300 or more students, teaching Biblical truths through lessons with those serving time in prison.

Hildi served faithfully as a volunteer at Wheaton Christian Grammar School and Wheaton Academy during the time her children attended there, including serving as a Board Member at Wheaton Academy from 1975 until 1983.

Hildi was preceded in death in 2003 by her husband, Harold, of 54 years. They were dedicated parents to their six children. In their later years, they enjoyed spending time traveling and seeing sights around the country.

Hildred is survived by her six children Cynthia (Jack Ippel) of Zeeland, MI, David (Gwendolyn) of West Chicago, Kenneth (Rebecca) of Wheaton, Steven (Celeste) of St. Charles, Beth (David Wright) of Carol Stream, and Scott (Valorie) of Jenison, MI; twenty-three grandchildren; 42 great-grandchildren; and one brother, Bart (Dori) Houseman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Harold, her sister, Patricia Keegstra, one granddaughter, Aimee Lorraine VanderVeen, and one great-granddaughter, Grace Baker.

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