Barbara Ann Van Buren

Barbara Ann Van Buren, beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend passed away on July 3, 2022 at the age of 91. She was born on September 10, 1930 in Washington D.C. to Edwin and Elsie Brown.

Barbara attended J.W. Sexton High school and graduated in 1948. After graduation she attended a local business college.

Barbara met the love of her life, George Van Buren, in high school. They would marry on June 26, 1954 at the Peoples Church in East Lansing, MI. They had a wonderful 52 years of marriage until George passed away in November of 2006.

Barbara first and foremost loved her family. She was a very dedicated wife and mother. Barbara was known for her cooking skills; there are great memories of meals made from scratch, freshly baked bread, apple streusel cake and her delicious homemade strawberry shortcake.

Her children remembered their mom always having freshly baked cookies whey they came home from school. As they grew older, she would still have the cookies available but now with ice cold beer in her refrigerator.

During George and Barbara’s marriage, George suffered a stroke. Barbara was his caregiver. She was dedicated to her husband. She took great and loving care of him.

When the boys would come home to hunt, Barbara would always come out of the back door asking with anticipation if they had any luck when they got back to the house.

One of her favorite things to do was read. She was a voracious reader and loved to read history, biographies, and Joyce Carol Oates.

She kept active going on trips with friends, tending her flowers, mowing the yard, watching the news and always reading. She kept her body and mind active up until the end of her life. She was a strong woman who handled all of life with grace, patience, and kindness.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Kurt (Jeanne) Van Buren, Beth Ann (Steve) Thelen, Mark (Tonya) Van Buren, Scot Van Buren, George Van Buren; grandchildren, Rebecca (Justin) Childress, Sara Thelen, Erica Van Buren, Joel Van Buren; great grandchildren, Nolan Childress, Declan Childress, Isla Childress; daughter-in-law, Sherrie Van Buren.

She is preceded in death by her parents; husband, George; son, F. Clark Van Buren; grandson, Steven Thelen; sisters, Betty Louise Linton and Mary Sue Malone.

A visitation will be held on July 7, 2022 from 4-7 pm at Gorsline Runciman DeWitt Chapel, DeWitt, MI 48820. Funeral services will take place on July 8, 2022 starting at 12:30 pm with a one hour prior visitation at the funeral home. A private burial will be held at Deepdale Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to Sparrow Hospice House of Mid-Michigan, 1210 W. Saginaw St., Lansing, MI 48915.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.grdewitt.com for the VanBuren family.