Arden R. "Van" Vanderkam

Arden Vanderkam Obituary

Vanderkam, Arden R. 'Van'

Arden R. 'Van' Vanderkam, age 74, of the Town of Pine River, Lincoln County, died Wednesday, April 17, 2013, at him home.

Van was born on September 7, 1938, in Wausau, son of the late Peter and Levina (Verpoorten) Vanderkam. He married Ruth Ann Megee on July 11, 1959, in Arlington, VA. She survives. Van served with the Military Police in the United States Army, and was stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia. He was honorably discharged. Van retired from the United States Postal Service as an Assistant Post Master, in Merrill. Van was a member of Grace United Church of Christ, Wausau. He enjoyed playing poker with his weekly poker club, taking casino trips, and morning coffee klatches at Merrill area restaurants. Van was a member of the Lincoln County Fair Board and Ducks Unlimited.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Vanderkam, of Merrill; two daughters, Ramona Pampuch and Jacqueline (Philip) Marheine, both of Merrill; three grandchildren, Leon, Jacob, and Thomas; and one brother, Gerald 'Jerry' Vanderkam, of Green Bay. Van was preceded in death by his parents, Peter and Levina Vanderkam.

The Funeral Service will be at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at Grace United Church of Christ, Wausau. The Rev. Wayne Drueck will officiate. Burial will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Wausau, with graveside military rites conducted by the Merrill V.F.W. Post 1638 Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M. Monday at the Taylor-Stine Funeral Home, Merrill, and again after 10:00 A.M. Tuesday at the church in Wausau.

In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested that memorials be directed to the Lincoln County Fair Board or the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.taylorstinefuneralhome.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Wausau Daily Herald on Apr. 19, 2013.

Memories and Condolences
for Arden Vanderkam

7 Entries

Cheryl Sargent

May 6, 2013

My uncle was the life of the party , to see and hear his boisterous laugh was a thing of beauty. Contagious like yawning, One could not be around him with out being happy. You will be missed greatly Uncle Van . We are praying for the loved ones that you left behind. May they be comforted by the fact that you are not suffering any longer. Rest Easy Uncle Van;We Love You !

betty myers trigger

April 25, 2013

so sorry for your loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you.

Junw Flynn

April 24, 2013

I am deeply sorry for your loss and wish you all Gods peace and comfort.

April 24, 2013

Van was the man, My deepest sympathy.
Arthur E. Myers

Amma Sue Megee

April 23, 2013

I will forever remember Van and our fun times on their trips to Virginia.

At times there were 6 adults in Vans Caddy..and away we'd go to a Civil War Park,

Harper's Ferry, ....lots of sight seeing.

I wish I could remember all the different solitaire games he showed me how to play.

My late husband Jack, ( Ruth's kid brother) would recall times in the years of his youth

and Van played a huge part of his fond memories.

Our first trip to Wisconsin was to attend Mona's wedding.

I will have to say that I have never danced with a smoother dancer as Van....than at that

reception on that happy occation.

Just when I thought my heart would never feel such sadness again, now I know that's

just not true.

I feel blessed to know Big Van.

I pray that he has been promoted to Ruth's guardian angel now...just as I am sure Jack

has been appointed to be mine.

Love and deepest sympathy to my extended Vanderkam family.

April 19, 2013

Dear Ruth and Ramona,
I am sorry for your loss. Van was an incredible man who was kind, loving and good. He was a source of strength for me in our childhood, and his laughter and kindness will never be forgotten by many. I I wish I could be there with you. Love Teri

Gordon Marten

April 19, 2013

Vanderkam Family,

Lynette and I extend our sincere condolences on the loss of the boy that I knew as Pete's and Levina's son, "Ardie".

My family had many happy gatherings with the Vanderkams when my late parents (Cora and Clarence), late brother (Clancy,a.k.a."Junior"), and I lived on a dairy farm near Wausau in the 1940s and 50s.

I remember Ardie as a fun and mischievious kid who sneakily ate the ears off my "hidden"(so I thought) giant chocolate Easter bunny in 1944---he went home with a stomach ache. He later often attended Wausau Lumberjack's baseball games with Jerry, Clancy, and me. Clancy and I had to usually leave in the 7th inning to go home to help milk the cows---then we'd later call the Vanderkams to find out who won!

We trust that you also have many happy memories to comfort you as you celebrate the life and mourn the passing of a loyal and caring man.

Gordon Marten

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