Thomas Vander Wal

Thomas Vander Wal, 92, Pollock, S.D., died July 11, 2010, at his home. Services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, July 16, at Hope Reformed Church, Westfield, with the Rev. Lane Keister officiating. Burial will be in Westfield Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Myers Funeral Home, Linton, with a prayer service at 8:30 p.m.

Thomas was born on a farm west of Westfield on Feb. 14, 1918, the son of Karl and Carrie (Ryckman) Vander Wal. He attended rural school. Thomas served in the U.S. Army.

He married Lois Zandstra on June 3, 1964, in Westfield. They farmed with his family until 1969, when he and Lois moved to a farm south of Westfield. Thomas also did taxidermy for many years. He was a member of Hope Reformed Church and taught Sunday school.

Thomas was co-founder of the Christian Sportsman Club, later known as the Dakota Wildlife Club. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and trapping. Thomas also loved playing cards.

He is survived by his wife, Lois, Pollock, S.D.; two sons and one daughter-in-law, Allen Vander Wal, Garfield, Minn., and Thomas J. and Lori Vander Wal, Mandan; two daughters and sons-in-law, Tamara and William Miller, Beach, and Rebecca and Edward Collins, Mandan; 11 grandchildren; and one brother and sister-in-law, Albert and Phyllis Vander Wal, West Fargo.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Pete, Fletcher, Warren and David; and one sister, Gertrude.