John Vander Waal
Published 12:00 am Saturday, December 19, 2009
The memorial service for John Andrew Vander Waal of Albert Lea will be held at 2 p.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Albert Lea. The Rev. Curtis Zieske will officiate. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Bonnerup Funeral Service, Albert Lea and one hour before service at the church. Private family interment will be held at a future date.
John died peacefully surrounded by his daughters and friends Tom and Sandy Clawson on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2009, at Thornecrest Retirement Center, Albert Lea. He was 74 years old.
John was born in Volga, S.D., on July 5, 1935, the son of John and Manda (Warnes) Vander Waal. He graduated from Volga High School, earned his teaching degree from South Dakota State University and received his master’s degree at Mankato State University. John was married to Carol Ann O’Neal on Aug. 7, 1960, in Huron, S.D. John had lived in Volga, S.D., Wessington Springs, S.D., Watertown, S.D., Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Gaylord, before moving to Albert Lea in 1977. John was in the National Guard. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he had served as a Stephen minister, on church council and sang in the church choir. John taught and had been a basketball coach at Wessington Springs and Watertown, S.D. He was a school Principle at Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Gaylord. John was a financial adviser for American Express from 1977 until his retirement.
John sang with the Careyaires, was in Toastmasters, 4-H leader and a member of the Moose Club and Kiwanis Club.
He enjoyed playing bridge, fishing, hunting, basketball and all sporting events with the grandkids.
John is survived by his daughters: Ronalee (Chris) Johnsen of Wessington, S.D., Roxann Clayton of St. Lawrence, S.D., Roberta (Paul) Woodside of Albert Lea; grandchildren: Rikki (Kenny) Kolquist, Ryland Nelson, Storm and Sydney Johnsen, Courtney and Katrina Belton, Benjamin and Bryn Woodside; siblings: Doris Oakland of Plymouth, Avis(George) Rowbotham of Belluve, Wash.; brother-in-law, Robert Mock of Clear Lake, Iowa.
John was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carol Ann; four sisters and four brothers-in-law.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Thornecrest Retirement Center for their excellent care and dear friends, Tom and Sandy Clawson.