Bernice M Goodemoot

Bernice (Bernie) Mae (Fredricks) Goodemoot, age 87, passed away Wednesday, February 14, 2024 at Trinity Health Saint Mary’s Hospital in Grand Rapids, MI, 8 days from celebrating her 88th birthday.  Bernie was born February 22, 1936 in McBain, MI, the fifth of nine children of Herbert and Bertha (DeBoer) Fredricks.  Bernie and her high school sweetheart, Donald Eugene Goodemoot, Jr. were married on Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 1955.  Other than a short time in Thompsonville, MI after retirement, they resided in Lake Odessa, MI where they raised their four children.

Bernie’s door was always open and she could put together a meal for the multitudes with very little effort.  Her home was “lived in” but always decorated beautifully, regardless of whether or not it was a special holiday.  She also loved her flowers…..inside and outside.  Her last “job” was working at Swift’s Flower Shop thoroughly enjoying every moment of being a florist and she continued to do wedding flowers after retirement.

She is survived by her four children, Chery (Jim) Valentine, Kyle (Marilyn) Goodemoot, Jill Andreau and Doni (Randy Nurenberg); eight grandchildren, Alana (Tim Bergy) Valentine, Keith (Sara) Valentine, Lance (Kristen) Goodemoot, Emily (Andy) Spitzley, Stacy (Rob) Bryson, Eric (Andrea) Andreau, Jared (Libby) Nurenberg and Jack (Jordyn Werkema) Nurenberg; eighteen great grandchildren, Logan, Ella, Brady and Sadie Acheson; McKenna, Caroline and James Valentine; Case, Cole, Kinley and Corbin Goodemoot; Millie and Jake Spitzley; Bobby, Porter and Don Bryson; Jocelyn and Kosta Andreau. In an era where many children do not know their grandparents well she enjoyed a loving and vibrant relationship with all of her grandchildren AND great grandchildren.  Bernie is also survived by her brother Roger Fredricks, sisters Marva (LaVerne) Kneale and Linda (Roger) Altena, as well as sisters-in-law Marilyn Fredricks, Barb Fredricks and her treasured Yaya’s, sister-in-law Eunice Goodemoot and niece Becky Livermore. NOTHING got in the way of Wednesday’s with her Yaya’s!  She is also survived by “bonus daughter” Dawne (Bill) Vowler and numerous nieces, nephews and their families.

Bernie was preceded in death by husband, Don Goodemoot, on October 28, 2015, and son-in-law, Rick Andreau, on October 27, 2019; her parents, Herb and Bertha Fredricks; siblings, Elaine (Jay) Wigger, Don Fredricks, Harvey (Darla) Fredricks, Sandy Fredricks, Keith Fredricks; parents-in-law, Don and Sadie Goodemoot; in-laws Francis (Ethel) Goodemoot, Marion (John) McDowell, Ford (Lorraine, Madeline) Goodemoot, Helen (Ray Livermore, Doc) Robinson, Mike (Lois) Goodemoot, Peg (Lyle) Faulkner and Rex Goodemoot.

Honoring Bernie’s wishes no formal services will be held. A private graveside service will be arranged at a later date.  Memorial contributions may be forwarded to: Georgetown & Cambridge Manor, Bus Fundraiser, 141 Port Sheldon Rd., Grandville, MI 49418.  Please reference “In Memory of Bernie Goodemoot”.  Electronic donations may be made at baruchsls-georgetown-cambridge.kindful.com.  For additional information, please contact Verdun Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Belding, who is caring for the arrangements, at (616) 794-1300.