Photo courtesy of Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel - Redding
Nov 2, 1951 - Sep 20, 2012 (Age 60)
I was very sad to just learn of Mike's passing. I have great memories of our time together at the University of Arizona many years ago.
My sympathies to his family
Steve Ciszczon
January 19, 2013 | Mishawaka, IN
We were so sad to hear about our dear friend Mike passing away. We will so miss seeing him pass by our house on his bike ride and stopping to visit and pet Tudy. Mike was a very special man and he will forever be in our hearts.
kathy and Jeff Pedersen
September 30, 2012 | Redding, CA
Mike had a gentle kind soul and he showed it by all he did. Especially I thank him for taking pictures all those years of the athletes at Enterprise, Shasta College, etc. and sharing them with the kid's families. Thank you to his family for sharing him those times he spent doing what he loved for others. Bless you all, From one of the grandparents of two of those athletes.
Louise Hansen
September 29, 2012 | Redding, CA
Dear Sue, Nicole and Julie, we will cherish many great memories, especially our many family camping trips, boating and backyard bbq's. Mike had a big, wonderful heart and we feel very lucky to have had the honor of his friendship. With love and hugs.
The McKillop Family
September 29, 2012
I am so sorrry for the loss. I meant Mike at the Redding Physical Therapy. He was such a sweet and kind and friendly guy. He always made you lsugh.All my thoughts and prayers goes out to all the family.
Patricia Licon
September 28, 2012 | Montesano, WA
So sorry to hear about Mike. Happy neighborhood memories. Hugs to you and the girls.
Judy Janeway
September 27, 2012 | Redding, CA
Our condolences to Sue, Julie and Nicole and family. We will miss Mike. He was our good friend for many years.
Our love to you,
Lodi (one of the "Big Four") and Gayle
Lodi and Gayle Urban
September 27, 2012 | Red Bluff, CA
I always meant to call if we traveled that direction to meet Mike and his family and also Elynne. My father was Wilbert who died in 1959. We lived across from Goldie in Sleepy Eye and I remember Gene and Marie visiting when we were all young.
I did get the phone numbers frommy husband's relative, Marian Grams as I belive her husband was Marie's brother. Our sympathies to you all. May God be with you as you grieve and also remember the good times.
Janice Vanderwer Krueger(husband...
Janice Krueger
September 27, 2012 | Willmar, MN
I remember Mike from his days at Redding Physycal Therapy. He was always friendly and good for a laugh. Just an all around great guy. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.
Kathy Holcomb (aka Estes)
September 27, 2012 | Redding, CA
Michael Gene Vanderwerf, wonderful father, husband, and friend, passed away on September 20, 2012, following a brief illness. Mike was born on November 12, 1951 in the Panama Canal Zone, to parents Gene and Marie Vanderwerf, who predeceased him. Michael grew up as a military child, moving numerous times during his childhood years, which made him really appreciate making Redding his permanent home in 1976. He graduated from CSU Chico in 1973 with a Bachelors Degree in PE/Sports Medicine. Also at CSU Chico, he was a member of the Delta Psi Delta Fraternity. Mike and Susan (Hagemann) married in 1975 in Chico, California. They moved to Tucson, Arizona, where he completed his Masters in Athletic Training at the University of Arizona in 1976. He joined the Shasta College family in 1976 as Athletic Trainer and loved his job, retiring in 2006. For several years, Mike organized the Band Aide Open golf tournament, using the funds for athletic training equipment and supplies. He was also proud of organizing reunions of the early football teams (such as the 1953 Golden Valley Conference Football Championship Team). He was recently helping with the 1957 football team reunion. Mike worked part-time for 13 years at Redding Physical Therapy on Court Street, where he met so many of his friends. One of his joys was being in the same poker group for 35 years. After retirement, Mike continued to take team photos at Shasta College, Shasta High School, and Enterprise High School, for any coach who requested it. He felt honored that he could provide athletes with a permanent photo memory of their sports accomplishments. Mike is survived by spouse, Susan, and daughters Julie Vanderwerf and Nicole (Vanderwerf) Trammell (and her spouse, Landyn Trammell and granddaughter Jenica); sister Elynne Vargas (and her spouse, Skip); nephews Erik Vargas and his family, and Andrew Hagemann; nieces Shasta (Vargas) Christ and family; Crystal Vargas-Richardson and family; and Jennifer Bonn, and Amy Woodson and family. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Vanderwerf-Vargas Scholarship at Shasta College, PO Box 496006, Redding, CA 96049, in his memory. There will be services and a Celebration of life on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at 11 a.m. at the Shasta College Theatre, 11555 Old Oregon Trail, Redding.Please sign the guestbook.Arrangements handled through Allen & Dahl Funeral Chapel in Redding (243-1525).
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