Traverse City – Isabelle "Izzie" VanderMeulen, 85, of Traverse City went home to be with her Lord and Savior on October 7, 2015, while being cared for by the Munson Hospital Team of loving nurses & Doctors, with her family by her side.

Izzie was born on July 20, 1930 in Grand Rapids to Andrew and Wilma (Sakko) VanderMeulen.

She graduated from Butterworth Nursing School of Grand Rapids in 1951 and also Physiological training from Wayne State. Izzie moved to Traverse City upon her graduation and took a position as a floor nurse at the State Hospital of Michigan. She cared for the residents at the State Hospital for 34 years, serving many roles and ultimately was asked to be the Assistant Nursing Director. Izzie's life was devoted to her the profession, but it went much deeper than that. She loved to learn and her passion was sharing that knowledge with nursing students and nurse graduates.

She enjoyed her friends and the friendships that she developed, too numerous to mention all of them. She appreciated those who came to visit her or moved events to her house, as it became harder for her to get around later in life.

Izzie was very athletic and loved all sports, but she especially loved to play golf. She was a special fan of MSU. She enjoyed gardening and working in her yard. Over the years Izzie had numerous cats and dogs and loved taking care of God's animals. She had many bird feeders and enjoyed watching the wildlife out her large picture window.

She is survived by sisters; Jean (Don) Kalkofen, of Grand Rapids and Elaine Lett, of Kentwood, brother Andrew VanderMeulen of Grand Rapids, and her coworker (30+ years) & dear friend of 65 years Mrs. Mae Gribble.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sister-in-law Janice VanderMeulen.

A Memorial Service will be held in Izzie's honor on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 11 a.m., with visitation starting at 10 a.m., at West Bay Covenant Church,12720 S W Bay Shore Drive, Traverse City, MI. Pastor Kent Anderson will officiate the service.

Memorial contributions in Izzie's name can be made to West Bay Covenant Church or to the Cherryland Humane Society, 1750 Ahlberg Rd, Traverse City, MI.

Please share your thoughts and memories of Izzie by way of her online guestbook atwww.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Service.