Rhonda Vandermeulen

Rhonda VanderMeulen had a way with animals, an unspoken bond so uncommon and admirable. She was a master horse trainer, often transforming the unruliest of animals into champions. Rhonda was the same way with the people around her, a calming, compassionate lady youd follow anywhere. Today the life she led and the example she set lives on in all who knew her. Rhondas story began on a cool fall day in 1961, as the leaves filled with color in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were tumultuous times in this country, which saw President John F. Kennedy take the Oval Office, at the height of the Cold War with Russia and Cuba. Amid these changing times, John and Julie (Chapel) VanderMeulen had a big change of their own, with the birth of a beautiful baby girl on October 25, 1961, a 9-pound, 6.5-ounce daughter they named Rhonda Jean. Rhonda was the couples first child, and would be joined in the familys Caledonia home by her little sisters Brenda in 1964 and Jeana in 1965. The family eventually settled in nearby Middleville, where the girls began school. The VanderMeulens always had animals around their home in the country, complete with dogs, horses and ponies, which were a delight to their daughters, of course. Rhonda, especially, seemed to have a natural way with the animals, and by the age of 9, Rhonda and her sisters were members of the 4-H Club, and were active in horse shows. Rhonda and her sisters loved taking their half Arabian ponies to shows every weekend, all over Michigan, and often came home victorious. After a while, the other kids didnt like seeing the VanderMeulen truck and horse trailer pull in! Rhonda and Brenda shared a room, and naturally fought like sisters. But they, too, shared an unspoken bond, and even though they never practiced riding in pairs, when they competed together in the event, they won that one, too. Rhonda and her sisters were especially close to their Grandma Chapel growing up, and their grandma loved attending the events and cheering them on. Rhonda had other interests as a girl, of course, She and her sisters participated on the age group swim team and Rhonda continued swimming on the high school team. When she was a student at Middleville High School, she became an assistant to the wrestling team, one of the Mat Maids. She kept the stats, and helped out with the team, and was very close to the wrestling coach. Her sisters followed in her footsteps, too. Horses were her passion, though, and during her senior year, she went to live with the Rapp family to better learn how to train and show the horses. After she graduated from Middleville High, Rhonda pursued her passion as a career, and moved to Wisconsin to work for Ted Gibson and his stable. Rhonda enjoyed a wonderful career, one that took her to Indiana, Kentucky California, Minnesota, and finally Texas, where she went to work for Ted Gibson once again. Rhonda loved her work, and hauled horses all across the country for shows. She assisted in the programs of breeding, foaling, conditioning, training, grooming and veterinarian care. Rhonda was a natural with animals, and working with horses is what she was truly born and bred to do. She had a calming effect on them, and was always best with the unbridled animals. She also took in a deaf dog named Jack, and amazingly taught him sign language! That was Rhonda, though; her bond with animals was deep and so often unspoken. After several in Texas, Rhonda grew tired of all the travel and came back to Michigan to settle down. She lived in the Hastings area for a short time before moving on to West Michigan. Little did she know her heart would soon find a home, as well. In 2000, Rhonda met a wonderful man named Bruce Risher, and it was truly love at first sight for both of them. Rhonda had boyfriends over the years, but she finally found a soulmate in Bruce. Bruce loved the vibrant, unbridled Rhonda, and appreciated her brutal honesty and no B.S. She taught Bruce all about horses, and he, in turn, taught her about his passion, motorcycles. Bruce loved to drag race bikes, and Rhonda loved to go watch him and work as his crew chief. Before long, Rhonda moved in to Bruces West Olive home, and the special relationship began a wonderful new chapter. Bruce was incredibly supportive of her through the years, in so many important ways. Rhondas love for horses never waned, and she bought a special horse named Brocado. Brocado was a problem child, just the kind of challenging project Rhonda loved. She worked with him diligently, and turned him into a champion, winning two National Top 10s, a Canadian Top 10, and many more. Rhonda loved being back home in Michigan, and her mom and sisters would come over on the weekends and talk, and she loved showing her nieces and nephews all about horses, and spending time with them, too. In October of 2006, Rhonda discovered some difficult news, when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Always determined to overcome any hurdle, Rhonda underwent a double mastectomy, and chemotherapy treatments. She battled the disease with all that she had, going to the University of Michigan Hospital six different times, and was doing well. Bruce was so wonderful to her, caring for her so compassionately, serving as her rock, her friend, the love of her life and her everything. In January of 2008, Rhonda began having severe headaches, and it was discovered the cancer had spread. She again fought bravely, never complaining, and always positive. Sadly, she lost her battle on Saturday, October 25, 2008, her 47th birthday. Rhonda was such an amazing woman, with an incredible way with animals. She had such a calming effect on horses, a soothing, unspoken bond. She shared even greater bonds with the people around her, as a beloved partner, daughter, sister, aunt and friend. Today the life she led and the bonds she shared live on in all who knew her. She will be so greatly missed. Rhonda is survived by the love of her life, Bruce Risher of West Olive; mother, Julie VanderMeulen of Middleville; father, John VanderMeulen of Wayland; sisters, Brenda (Brian) Cuddahee of Hastings, Jeana VanderMeulen of Caledonia; nephews, Jeremy & Dylan Cuddahee; niece, Preslee VanderMeulen-Hall;; many special friends; her four legged friends; dogs, Jack, Panda, Jixsir; horse, Brocado and donkey, Tator. Services are scheduled for Thursday, October 30, 2008, 1:00 PM at Clock Chapel-Grand Haven with Rev. Travis Sybrowsky officiating. Interment at Port Sheldon Township Cemetery. Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, 6-9 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home - Grand Haven. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com to share a memory or photo of Rhonda, or to sign the online guest book.