Ivan C. "Ike" Vande Weerd, age 81, of Preston, Minn., died suddenly Friday morning, August 2, 2013, in Chatfield following a courageous battle with cancer.
Ike was born November 26, 1931, on the family farm in York Township, Fillmore Co., Minn., the son of Evert and Bertha (Hebrink) VandeWeerd. He attended country schools. He worked construction until serving with the US Navy from January 4, 1951, until November 16, 1954, during the Korean War on the USS Rowan DD 782 as a seaman.
He married Ruth Elaine Schwartz September 30, 1956, in Preston where the couple made their home. He worked in construction following his marriage, drove school bus for 33 years starting in September 1961 and retiring in 1994 then substitute drove for a number of years and was also a longtime custodian at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston. He also worked for Thauwald Funeral Home for many years. Ike was a 50 year plus and Life Member of the Preston VFW and had served as commander in 1975. He was also a member of the "round table" at the Preston Serviceman's Club for many years and placed the wreath in the Root River during Memorial Day festivities. He also was a longtime member of Christ Lutheran Church. He enjoyed coin collecting, hunting, fishing, card playing, traveling and spending time with his family.
Ike is survived by his wife, Ruthie; two daughters and sons-in-law, Deb and Kim Brastrom of Clear Lake, Iowa, and Denise and Ron Vierling of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; one granddaughter, Lindy Brastrom; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by twin infant daughters, Dawn and Darcy; and two brothers, Eugene and Gordon VandeWeerd.
The funeral will be 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 6, 2013, at Christ Lutheran Church with Rev. Dave Jore officiating. Burial with military graveside rites will be in the Christ Lutheran Cemetery. Friends may call at the Thauwald Funeral Home in Preston 5 - 8:00 p.m., Monday and at the church on Tuesday an hour before the service..
The family prefers memorials to the American Cancer Society and the Preston Serviceman's Club Scholarship Fund.
Obituary and photo from Thauwald Funeral Home.
Ruth Vandeweerd, 80, of Preston
Wednesday, June 18, 2014 6:54 AM
Ruth E. "Ruthie" Vandeweerd, 80, of Preston, died Saturday, June 14, 2014, at the Chosen Valley Care Center in Chatfield.
She was born on Nov. 25, 1933, in Preston, the daughter of Ernest and Julia Ruth (Thompson) Schwartz. She graduated from Preston High School in 1951. She was a telephone operator from 1955 until 1986 for Northwestern Bell.
On Sept. 30, 1956, she married Ivan "Ike" Vande Weerd in Preston. The couple remained in Preston their entire lives. They were very proud to have been grand marshals for the Preston Trout Days parade in 2004. She was a lifelong member of Christ Lutheran Church, an honorary lifelong member of the Communication Workers of America, an AT&T Pioneer Life member and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary in Preston. She was also a member of the "Round Table" at the Preston Serviceman's Club for many years. She was a huge Elvis Presley fan and took a trip to Graceland. She enjoyed reading Danielle Steel novels, collected cookbooks and enjoyed playing cards. She loved to travel and made her dream trip to Hawaii twice. She also enjoyed going to the casino. She especially enjoyed spending time with her family.
She is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Deb (Kim) Brastrom of Clear Lake, Iowa, and Denise (Ron) Vierling of Pleasant Hill, Iowa; one granddaughter, Lindy Brastrom of Ames, Iowa, and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Ike, twin infant daughters, Dawn and Darcy, and three sisters, Rollis Kirkland, Eva Tienter and Margie Bjork.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, June 18, at 2 p.m. at Christ Lutheran Church in Preston with the Rev. Dave Jore officiating. Burial will be in the Christ Lutheran Cemetery in Preston.
Friends may call one hour prior to services at the church. The family prefers memorials to Christ Lutheran Church or the Preston Serviceman's Club Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be left at thauwaldfuneralhomes.com.
Obituary and photo from Thauwald Funeral Home.