Velda Jean Lenz, beloved wife, mother, sister, and friend passed away unexpectedly Tuesday morning at her residence in Coloma. She was 59. She was preceded in death by her mother Jo Ann Rice (Byrd), her father Lonnie Rayburn Rice, and her sister Judy Ann Wilson (Rice).

Services will be held 10am Saturday, Oct. 28 at Duffield & Pastrick Family Funeral Home in Coloma where visitation will be Friday from 5-8pm. Burial will be in Coloma Cemetery. Donations in memory of Velda may be made to Hospice at Home or the Wounded Warrior Project. Those who would like to leave an online remembrance message may do so by using the "guestbook" link located on this page.

Velda was born May 11th, 1958 in Arkansas, but has spent all of her life in Michigan. She grew into a beautiful, kind soul who solely wanted to help bring joy to other people. She saw and experienced much suffering during her formative years and worked very hard to be a beacon of hope for others. Her many jobs over her lifetime reflected this, as she worked as a bank loan officer, teacher's aide, as an operator for the Alcohol and Drug Abuse program, and she also homeschooled her son all the way from Kindergarten through 9th grade. Everything she did, she did with a servant's heart.

In life, she dealt with chronic pain and symptoms related to Multiple Sclerosis and Fibromyalgia. Despite this, Velda never lost her faith in God or others, and she always maintained a grateful heart. Her humility, grace and kindness were just as illuminating as the warmth of her smile. All who knew her saw the great value that she brought to the world just by being herself.

She is survived by her husband Edward Lenz, brother Charlie (Patti) Rice, and her son Jacob Lenz, as well as many cousins, nieces, nephews, and in-laws. All who knew her will miss her dearly, as it is all too rare to find a light that shined as brightly as the one in Velda Lenz's heart.