Veronica J. Kolk, age 91, of Manistee, MI died peacefully on Friday, February 14, 2025 (Valentine's Day) at her home surrounded by her family.  She was born January 23, 1934 in Grant Township, MI and was the daughter of the late Stephen A. and Caroline M. (Maske) Newman.  She married Dean Oliver Kolk on July 21, 1951 at Trinity Lutheran Parsonage in Manistee.  Together they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2001.  Dean preceded her in death November 27, 2004.

Veronica enjoyed gardening flowers and vegetables, cruising yard sales, Goodwill and loved action sales.  She had the natural talent for being an excellent cook which was a good thing since she had a lot of mouths to feed.  She also enjoyed spending time with her 3 sisters, Rosie, Gertie and Marilyn who were fondly named by family "The twisted sisters."  She enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii, Jamaica, Florida, North Carolina and many other small journeys.  She also had fun going to casinos occasionally.  She loved having so many grandchildren and they all loved her gentle demeanor.  They would all have sleep overs at her house at times for fun and giggles.  Most of all, she cherished getting together with her extended family.

She is survived by her children, Dean R. (Deborah) Kolk, Cynthia (Gary) Greene, Bradley (Joan) Kolk, Vawn (Rory Harju) Kolk, Dwayne Kolk, Christopher Kolk and Bruce (Catrina) Kolk;  19 grandchildren, Derek (Marla Solis) Kolk, Dustin (Rachel Skaggs) Kolk, Gary (Jodi) Greene, Amanda (Rick) Locke, Adam (Rhonda) Greene, Danielle Trandell Kolk, Ken Heffner, Curtis Heffner, Bradley Kolk, Chuck (Julie) Kolk, Veronica (Danny) Thomas, Victoria Kolk and Ashley (Joe) Gutowski, Nathan (Alison) Harju, Leeane (Dalton) Schaffer, Hobi (Jason) MacDonald, Danielle Harmon, Nolan Kolk and Paelynne Kolk; 15 great-grandchildren, Savanah (Joey) Gamache, Mikaela (Hunter) Hamstra, Abby Kolk, Kelly Kolk, Natallie McNamara, Connor Thomas, Liam Thomas, Carson Tyndall, Meridee Gutowski, Paige Gutowski, Anndalee Schaffer, Olivia Greene, Charlotte Harju, Evelyn Harju and Phaedra MacDonald; 4 great-great grandchildren, Jase Williams, Scarlette Gamache, Andrew Bush and George Hamstra; Her last living sibling, Marilyn (Newman) Perski also survives her in addition to numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband Dean, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Denise (Kolk) Myers; siblings Rosemarie (Allen) Kramp, Stephen (Agnes Albright) Newman, Robert Newman and Gertrude (Joseph) Sowa.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:30 AM on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at Divine Mercy Parish St Joseph Catholic Church in Manistee with Rev. James Bearss celebrant.  In continued accordance with her wishes, cremation will take place following funeral services.

The family will be at the church on Wednesday morning to receive friends 1 hour prior to Veronica's funeral Mass.

The Herbert Funeral Home of Manistee is in charge of funeral arrangements.