Arthur Vander Griend

Arthur Vander Griend, 82, of Bradenton, died 5 October 2012 at the home of his daughter under the care of his family. Visitation will be from 6pm to 8pm Monday at Griffith Cline Funeral Home, 720 Manatee Avenue West. The memorial service will be at 4:30pm Tuesday at the Bradenton Christian Reformed Church, 4208 - 26th Street West, Bradenton, with Pastor Gerrit Besteman officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to Anchor House Seafarers Ministry, 13285 Eastern Ave, Palmetto, 34221. Born in Harrison, South Dakota, Art moved with his family to Sioux Center, Iowa, in 1935. With his wife Agnes and four children, Art moved to Palmetto in 1958 to establish a chicken farm. He sold eggs to local stores, schools, and residential customers. He also drove school bus for north county schools and athletic teams. In 1969 the family moved to Bradenton and built their home on 51st Street on the site of a former dairy. The rich soil supported his passion for gardening. In 1971 Art began a carpentry business that he sold in 1985. Art began a third career repairing golf carts and delivering batteries across the state for Jeffrey Allen, Inc. of Bradenton. Art fully retired in 2007. Art began his final career as a volunteer for various non-profit ministries in Manatee County: Anchor House, Blake Hospital, Panther Porch Thrift Store, and Bradenton Christian Reformed Church. In his barn workshop he built furniture, a pulpit in the form of a cross for his church, lighthouses, and his landmark windmill. Art was a life-long member of the Christian Reformed Church in Iowa and Florida. He served many terms as deacon, elder and committee member. He also sang in the choir. Preceded in death by his parents, siblings, and beloved wife Agnes, Art is survived by one brother, Howard, of Sully, Iowa as well as seven children, 20 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Children include Dr. Robert and Sarah of Gainesville, FL, Rev Ron and Marilou of Grainger, IN, Dr. Suzanne and Dr. Tom Wilkinson of Bradenton, Marilyn and Max Vreugdenhil of Bradenton, Howard and Sandy of Athens, TN, Arla and John Kostelyk of Hammond, IN, and Carolee and Andy Swaagman of Bradenton.