William Vander Werf

     William "Bill" Vander Werf age 86 of Sioux Center, IA died Saturday, March 18, 2017 at the Sioux Center Health in Sioux Center, IA.

     Memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, March 22nd at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center with Rev. Mark Verbruggen, officiating.

     Prayer service for family and friends will be held at 9:30 AM Wednesday at the First Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center.

     Interment will follow the prayer service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center.

     Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 21st from 3:00 – 7:00 PM, with the family present from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the Memorial Funeral Home of Sioux Center.

   William (Bill) Vander Werf was born to Chris and Alice (Zuiderhof) Vander Werf on June 9, 1930 in Colton, SD. He was educated in Colton and graduated from Colton High School in 1948. After high school he drove a truck for his Dad’s trucking company before enlisting in the Air Force in 1951. He served as a supply Sergeant for the 4th Fighter Intercept Wing in Seoul, Korea during the Korean War. After receiving an honorable discharge, he attended Calvin College for 2 years. After college he worked for Douglas Aircraft in Long Beach, CA and sold real estate.

December 29, 1959, he married Gezena (Jo) Van Essen. In February of 1961 he and Jo moved back to Colton, SD where he became the bulk delivery agent for Minnehaha Coop Oil for 35 years. After retiring for the first time, Bill and Jo moved to Sioux Center, Iowa in 1997 where Bill began working for Sioux Automation until December of 2015 (his second retirement). Following his second retirement he had a brief stint at the Sioux Center Walmart in the produce department stocking bananas.

   Bill loved reading his Bible and was particularly adept at preparing devotions for family meals. His love for the Lord was clearly evident. Bill and Jo were faithful in their church attendance. Throughout his life, Bill was active in church and school activities serving as a deacon, elder, catechism teacher, Sunday school teacher, choir member, school board member and on the board of trustees at Dordt College.  

   Bill loved to garden and be outside. He enjoyed talking with people and was always making many friends wherever he lived. He was a loyal friend. He loved to work and always prided himself in doing a good job. He loved Jo and his family.

   He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jo of Sioux Center; one son Dave and his wife Becky of Hawarden Iowa; 3 grandchildren Abby, Jonathan and Sarah, all living at home; his brother Albert of Santa Rosa, CA; sister Jeanette Vosburg of Brandon, SD; a brother Don and his wife Norma of Plano TX; a sister Gert De Jongh of Edgerton, MN; a brother Roger and his wife Maria of Wyoming, MI; and a brother Roy Vander Meulen and his wife Judy of Sioux Falls, SD; a sister-in-law Donna Vander Meulen of Ripon, CA a sister-in-law Rose Koele and her husband Duane of Sioux Center, IA;  a brother-in-law Howard Van Essen and his wife Mary of Edgerton, MN; a brother-in-law Larry Van Essen and his wife Betty of Visalia, CA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

   He is preceded in death by his parents Chris and Alice Vander Werf and Minnie Vander Werf; brother George; brother-in-law Chris Begeman; brother Larry Van Meulen; sister and brother-in- law Jesse and Gerrit Burgers; brother-in-law Claire Vosburg; father-in-law and mother-in-law Henry and Frekea Van Essen; sister-in-law Grace Corbin; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Ralph and Anne Corbin; and a brother-in-law Pete Schouten.

   Memorials will be designated for Christian Education.