Vera E. Begeman

Click on the tribute wall above to view Vera's service. Vera E. Begeman, 94, left us to be in heaven on May 6th, 2020 from natural causes, and was cared for by her loving daughter, Nancy, in the comfort of her home. Born Vera Eva-Mabel Agney in Ecorse, Michigan on December 2, 1925 to parents Ethel Blanche Porter (of Woolidge, England) and James Agney. She spoke often of her loving mother and the beautiful soprano voice she had, with vivid memories of her singing operatically at the piano. She grew up with seven other siblings – Carl, Ernie, Leonard, Jimmie, George, Sara and Lloyd (who died tragically at the young age of 19, in the Battle of Normandy, WWII). Some of her fondest childhood memories were of them ice skating for hours on dug-out rinks filled by the fire department, and of coming home to hot chocolate and having her feet warmed on her mother’s lap. The siblings all treated each other wonderfully. She was especially close with sister, Sara Beatrice Huttes, her best friend in life, who preceded her in death in 2012. Vera was an exemplary student throughout school, a member of the National Honor Society. She was terrific at roller skating, could dance gracefully on those skates, in addition to being a beauty, and caught the eye of a handsome Raymond Begeman one day. He pursued her love and they were married just prior to him being sent off to post-war efforts in Japan. After returning, they built a life together on 15th Street in Wyandotte and in Trenton raising two wonderful daughters, Nancy and Bonnie. As a family, they cherished their long-awaited vacations “up North” to a cottage in Indian River where fishing for lake perch and walleye, playing at the beach and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches were the summer delight. Always hardworking, at any task put before her - being a mother, a wife, or a faithful parishioner at Trinity Lutheran – she worked as a stenographer at Great Lakes Steel and then found a life-long career working at Yops and Wilkie Architects managing the office, bookkeeping, and job bidding. She was admired there by all, finally retiring after celebrating 40 years of employment with them. She and Ray enjoyed vacations to Hilton Head, SC and Florida, and annual jaunts to Frankenmuth - where chicken dinner at the Bavarian Inn was always a must, after watching the Glockenspiel outside. They were married for 67 wonderful years, before she lost her beloved Raymond in 2013. Vera’s other loves of life, and pride and joy, were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was the one who gave them all their first bath at home, after they were born. She LOVED babies. Her grandchildren began to arrive in the late 1960’s and included Lisa, Ron, and later Aaron and Andrew. At Christmas time, she looked forward to seeing their eyes bug-out at the huge pile of wrapped gifts spilling out into ½ the room from under the tree - every little item wrapped to make it seem like more, which took “hours and hours to wrap”, she would say. Her depression-era smarts always meant that wrappings were folded and saved for the next year, bows too, until they weren’t usable anymore. She always delighted in reading to her great-grandchildren, especially with sound effects, and laughing at their joy from the simplest pleasures. She was never one to pass up shopping of any sort or a good bargain - or - her favorite pastime of reading good books, doing crossword puzzles or watching her favorite tv shows - the Wheel, Jeopardy and Dancing with the Stars. She took great joy in her huge lilac bush in the backyard and in planting flowers annually. She also had a knack for decorating, always keeping her eye out for a new piece of art or throw pillow to change things up a bit. She looked forward to watching the annual Westminster Dog Show and enjoyed raising their Scottish Terriers throughout the years, Duffy, Angus, Laddie, and Brody. She wrote a quote of the poignant epitaph for Ruth Graham (wife of Billy) in a journal that she kept for memories: “Construction completed, thank you for your patience”, #Destination, Paradise#”. Truly, that is where she is headed. Vera is survived by her daughter Nancy Seal-Stern, and predeceased by her daughter Bonnie Begeman (2013) and husband, Raymond Begeman (2013). She is survived by her grandchildren, who will miss her dearly, Lisa (Greg) Pyden, Ronald (Jennifer) Seal, Aaron (Jennifer) Seal, and Andrew Seal. Also, by her precious great-grandchildren, Hayley, Jillian, Gregory, Marianna, and Trinity. She leaves a Brother-in-Law, Sister-in-Law, and many nieces and nephews behind. The family gives heartfelt thanks to Vera’s caregivers, wonderful neighbors, and to all those who provided exceptional friendship and caring gestures over the past several years at her home in Trenton. Memorial contributions, in honor of Vera, can be made to Trinity Lutheran Church in Wyandotte. There will be a live-streaming service for Vera on Friday, May 8th at 4pm. You can view the service from The Martenson Funeral Home Facebook page, and we will be posting the link here after the service. A celebration of life will be announced at a future date.