Funeral services for Everett W. VanderVoort will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 8, 2016, at Bridge Community Church-North, in Albert Lea. The Rev. Clayton Balsley will officiate.  Visitation will take place one hour prior to the service at the church.

Everett passed away on Wednesday, Oct. 5, 2016, at Good Samaritan Society.  He was 83.

Everett Warren VanderVoort was born Sept. 2, 1933, to Jacob and Minnie (Van Puersem) VanderVoort in Freeborn County. He was a lifetime resident of Freeborn County. After his schooling, Everett began working. He was a farmer his entire life and enjoyed what he did. On Oct. 14, 1961, he was united in marriage to Janice (Fogel) at First Baptist Church in Albert Lea.  Janice and Everett were members of First Baptist Church and were active in the Youth Group; they both served as deacons and were ushers as well. 

Together, Everett and Janice were foster parents to over 93 children in 25 years.  This greatly enhanced and changed their view of life. In his free time, Everett enjoyed stock car races, tractor shows and parades. He and Jan enjoyed going on car rides to look at the beautiful scenery. Everett liked to laugh and he could easily make other people laugh.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jacob and Minnie; mother and father in-law Arthur (Helen) Fogel; sisters Darlene (Clayton) Stoa and Christina VanderVoort in infancy; brother, Jacob Lee VanderVoort; and nephew, Brian John Stoa.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Janice VanderVoort, of Austin; sister in-law, Kathleen (Gary) Richer of Lenexa, Kansas; nieces and nephews Roger (Carla) Stoa of Austin, James (JoAnne) Stoa of Whittier, California, Dean (Yvonne) Stoa of Rushford, Charles (Holly) Stoa of West Des Moines, Iowa, Kristine (Lynn) Allas of Lansing, Kevin (Abby) Stoa of Albert Lea, Eric (Carla) Richer of Fort Collins, Colorado, Keith Richer of Kansas and Adam Richer of California; close family Theresa Potz and Justin Rios and their children, Gloria, Justin Jr., Cataleya and Josiah; 11 great-nieces and nephews; and 14 great-great-nieces and nephews; as well as many other loving foster children, relatives and friends.

Blessed be his memory.