John S. Vander Schaaf

John S. Vander Schaaf, 97, of Sioux Center, IA died Wednesday, November 21, 2012, at the Rock Rapids Health Care Center of Rock Rapids, Iowa A visitation will be held on Saturday from 9:30AM to 10:30AM at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center. A funeral service will be held Saturday at 10:30AM at the Bethel Christian Reformed Church with Rev. Duane Tinklenberg officiating. Interment will follow the service in Memory Gardens Cemetery of Sioux Center. The Vander Schaaf family prefer memorials be directed to Sioux Center Christian School or The Gideons International. John S. Vander Schaaf was born August 25, 1915 near Sioux Center, Iowa; one of thirteen children born to Simon and Tillie (Barron) Vander Schaaf. John grew up in a farming family, northwest of Sioux Center where he attended country school. John was united in marriage to Tracy Van Bruggen on April 30, 1936. She preceded him in death on March 16, 1999. The couple farmed near Lebanon, Iowa until 1960 when they moved to Sioux Center. John began selling seed corn and farm supplies; anything from anhydrous ammonia to cattle scratchers. John was a former member of Lebanon Christian Reformed Church and a current member of Bethel Christian Reformed Church of Sioux Center. He was an active member of The Gideons International for over 20 years. John and Tracy traveled extensively, visiting every state in the union except Delaware. They enjoyed winter months in McAllen, Texas for many years. John is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Lois and Leon Wichers and daughter-in-law, Delma Vander Schaaf all of Sioux Center; his seven grandchildren and nineteen great grandchildren; sister-in-law, Rosemary Vander Schaaf of Sioux Falls, SD and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife of 62 years, John was preceded in death by his son, Donald Vander Schaaf; his parents; eight brothers: Arthur, William, Henry, Richard, Martin, Bert, Jerry and Sam Vander Schaaf and four sisters: Florence Manfred, Dora Brouwer, Mary Helmers and Sadie Zeilinga.