Mary VanderKley

Mary Helen VanderKley, at the age of 65, entered with joy into the presence of her Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, July 9th, 2024. Mary was born on March 16 th , 1959, to Donald and Lois (Garrison) Stermer in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She grew up near Scotts, Michigan working alongside her parents, four sisters and three brothers on the family farm, learning the ethics of hard work, kindness, generosity and love, and graduating from Portage Northern High School in 1977. Mary then traveled to Texas, earning a Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy from Texas Women's University in 1985. She worked as a Physical Therapist in Rehab and Home Nursing settings for many years, showing special care and concern for all her patients. During this time Mary met her future husband Paul VanderKley, and they were united in marriage on December 26, 1986. Mary and Paul began their married life in Augusta, Michigan, but soon moved to the Upper Peninsula, starting their family with children Emily and Alexander. She was a loving wife and a caring mother, who made their home a comfortable, happy refuge. Both Mary and Paul came to saving faith in Jesus Christ in 1996, and together they shared a pa...[more]

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on for evangelism and gospel outreach that continued all her life. She shared many adventures with Paul, including their public ministry at the Des Moines Farmers Market and local gospeloutreach at the annual Oktemberfest and the Holiday Stroll festivals. Mary enjoyed spending time with family and friends in Marshalltown, Iowa, where she resided for the last 18 years. She loved her grandchildren Ryan and Taylor dearly, and attended their many activities and events, always with a special gift or favorite treat to share. Mary also planned a family reunion each year to Gravel Lake Michigan, complete with sunset boat rides, themed dinners, quality time with her siblings and making breakfast and many desserts with her grandchildren. Despite being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, and other health concerns throughout adulthood, Mary remained active in her church and community. Mary loved Jesus and wanted those around her to know His love. Mary ministered tirelessly to the Karen and Karenni ethnic people groups in Marshalltown, helping with medical appointments, school registrations, the purchase of homes and management of bills. Even through many years of illness and treatment she was a beautiful woman, inside and out, and took time to reach out to her doctors, nurses, and fellow cancer patients with the message of God's love and the hope of the gospel. A race well run, Mary is survived by her husband of 37 years Paul VanderKley, daughter Emily (Todd) Briles, son Alexander VanderKley and grandchildren Ryan and Taylor Mae Briles. She is also survived by all her siblings, Linda (Rick) Stermer, Ellen Stermer, Susan (Steve) Stermer, Donald (Jodi) Stermer, Tom (Kat) Stermer, Karen Naas and Jon (Rochelle) Stermer; nieces and nephews Donnie, Joey, Andy and Robbie Stermer, Ian Naas and Olivia (Nicholas) Jones, and Adam and Megan Daniluk. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Lois Stermer, and brother-in-law Chuck Verney. A service to celebrate Mary's life will be held at Grace Church in Marshalltown, Iowa on Tuesday, July 23rd. Family visitation hours are 10:00-11:30 a.m., with the funeral service to begin at 11:30 a.m. A graveside service will take place at Highland Memory Garden Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa on Wednesday July 24th at 11:00 a.m. The family expresses gratitude for the support and condolences during this challenging time. Mary's legacy will live on in the hearts of all who were blessed to know her. "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God who loved me, and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20