Henry John Vedders

Funeral services for Henry John Vedders, age 88, of Milaca, will be held Saturday, April 30, 2011 at 10:30 a.m. at the Pease Christian Reformed Church with Rev. David Smit officiating. Visitation will be held Friday, April 29, 2011 from 5:00-8:00 p.m. at the church. Providing music for the service will be Dorothy Brink, Steve Vedders, Debbie Vedders, Zack Ploeger, and Leslie Ploeger. Interment will follow in the Pease Cemetery. Henry “Hank” John Vedders was born January 10, 1923 in Mille Lacs County to William and Jennie (Kuperus) Vedders. He graduated from Pease Christian School. He served during World War II from 1943-1945, in the Army-517th Parachute Infantry, HQ Company First Battalion, as a Staff Sergeant. On June 21, 1946 he was united in marriage to Florence Kiel. They farmed in Pease, where they raised their five children. He drove for George Verhoeven, and then worked for Land O’Lakes before retiring. He was a lifelong member of Pease Christian Reformed Church. He was an elder and served on the school board. Hank enjoyed golfing, fishing, hunting, traveling, sports, and watching all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren’s athletic activities. Hank passed away Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at the Milaca Elim Home at the age of 88 years, 3 months, and 17 days after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Florence, of Milaca; children, Bonnie Kaun of Milaca, Dusty (Pat) Vedders of Milaca, Carl (Marlys) Vedders of Hastings, Penny and husband Mike Van Maanen of Cypress, CA, and Doug (Debbie) Vedders of Foreston; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, with 3 on the way; sister, Fan Bordewyk of Visalia, CA; many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Barb, one brother, and five sisters.