Darwin Vander Vorst

Darwin Vander Vorst, 80, Mandan, passed away peacefully at home on May 15, 2015, with his family by his side after a year-long struggle with cancer. Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 21, at Legacy United Methodist Church, Bismarck. Burial will be at North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.

Cremation has taken place and visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., at Buehler-Larson Funeral Home, Mandan, and continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Thursday.

Born in Westfield on Oct. 7, 1934, to H.G. and Dolly Vander Vorst, Darwin was raised in Linton and Mandan. He graduated from Mandan High School and Bismarck Junior College. Darwin married Irene Hoesel in Mandan on May 12, 1956.

Darwin retired from North Dakota Job Service after 37 years and also served in the North Dakota National Guard. He was an active member of the Mandan United Methodist Church, where he served as treasurer and trustee. The Elks was a very important part of his life; he was Exalted Ruler, State President, and was active with Elks Camp Grassick. Darwin was also a member of many other service organizations and served on the board of the Morton County Housing Authority.

A dedicated Mandan Braves fan, he will be missed at his bleacher seat - top row center court. Darwin enjoyed the outdoors, camping and fishing, and especially loved hunting on his family's land in the Westfield area. He loved spending time at his cabin along the Missouri River, entertaining and cooking. Darwin enjoyed bowling, playing whist with his neighbors of 56 years, Walter and Jackie Buck, and also traveling to Alaska, California and Florida. Darwin was proud to be a regular blood donor.

Darwin in survived by his wife, Irene; his children, ReNay (Don) Zundel, Ronda (Jim) Mellon and Bob (Kristen) Vander Vorst, his grandchildren, Erica (Corey) Hager, Caitlyn (Charles) Hager, Parker Vander Vorst and Lauryn Vander Vorst, his great-grandchildren, Kya Hager, Gavin Hager and Mason Hager and his stepmother, Darlene Vander Vorst, all of Mandan-Bismarck; one stepbrother, John Cooper; one stepsister, Diana (Alan) Westberg; five step-grandchildren; and eight step-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, H.G. and Dolly Vander Vorst.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to Mandan United Methodist Church and Elks Camp Grassick.

Special thanks to Sanford Hospice for their loving care.

Please go to www.BuehlerLarson.com to share memories of Darwin.