Joseph Paul VanWassenhove

Joseph Paul Van Wassenhove (Joe Van) passed peacefully on May 28, 2010 at Complex Care Hospital. Funeral mass celebrated by Fr. Flores will be on Thursday, June 3rd at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church in Caldwell, Idaho. Interment to follow at Canyon Hill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Flahiff Funeral Chapel, Caldwell, Idaho, condolences may be sent to the family at www.flahifffuneralchapel.com. He was born in Caldwell, Idaho on Oct. 1, 1924 to Belgian immigrants, Raymond and Irma Claeys Van Wassenhove. His earliest years were spent in Garden Valley, Idaho. When he was a young boy, the family moved to Sunny Slope. Except for a semester at Carroll College in Helena, Mont., Joe spent his entire life in the Marsing area. He farmed with his dad across from Lizard Butte, and later bought his farm on the edge of Marsing where he resided until his death. On Aug. 26, 1949, Joe married Elizabeth Jayne Pierce. To this union, seven children were born. Bette died in childbirth in 1961. With considerable help from his sister, Mary, and Bette's sister, Marie, Joe raised his six kids on the farm. In 1987, he married Clara Blodgett. Clara passed away in 1993. In 1995, he married Helen Pedersen. Joe was involved in the community his entire adult life. While his children were in school, he served on the Marsing School Board. He served as a volunteer fireman, Marsing Volunteer Fire Department Chief and also as Marsing Fire Commissioner for several years. For many years he was also a volunteer for the Marsing Ambulance and Marsing Disaster Auction. He was a member of the Marsing Lion's Club, handling the Christmas basket project for many years. He was a past board member of the Owyhee County Soil Conservation District. Joe was a member of the Owyhee County Sheriff's Posse for over 30 years and was a past-member of the Idaho Police Officers Association. He had many Idaho State Police Officer friends and spent many happy hours riding with them on patrol. Joe enjoyed being camp boss at hunting camp on Soldier Mountain at Fairfield, which was an annual family event for over 50 years. He also enjoyed fishing trips with family and friends. Joe was a 4th Degree member of the Knights of Columbus and a parishioner of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church. Joe is survived by his devoted wife, Helen, his children, Paul, Jayne Nelson (Don), Mike (Jolyn), David (Sharon), Margaret Kath, Joanne Bradford (Mike), and step-sons Mike (Sherri) and Clint Pedersen. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Jon, Seth (Anne) and Nathan (Stacy) Van Wassenhove, Madeleine Hall (Tony), Erin and Sara Kath, Megan Astorquia (Jake), Amy Van Wassenhove (fiancé Thoren Spearow), Tessa Bradford, Keith and Kurtis Nelson, Mike Roberts (Amy), Melissa McClure (Ben), Kelly Montgomery (Dennis), Stephanie Pedersen, Shelly Dallolio (Darren), Darrin (Lindsey) and Bryce Pedersen as well as his great-grandchildren: Shelbie Criffield-Van Wassenhove, Cheyenne, Elizabeth, Sam and Finley Van Wassenhove, Mila, Jaxon and Maylee Astorquia, Teresa Roberts, Cash McClure, Braden, Garret and Ellayna Dallolio, and Aubri Pedersen. His sisters Mary Zimmerman, Silvie Smith, brother-in-law Bud Schuler, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive him, as well as Helen's family: Charlie and Joan Wilson, Jerry and Pam Wilson, Marvin and Judy Wilson, Ann Ayers and Bill Read and their families. Joe was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother Paul, wife Bette and infant son, Wayne, wife Clara, son-in-law Randy Kath, great-grandson David Gabriel Van Wassenhove, sisters Zoe Ineck and her husband, Joe, Madeleine Schuler, brothers-in-law Joe Zimmerman, Chuck Smith, Cletus Pierce and Bud Pierce and wife Leona, sisters-in-law Marie Arnce and husband Clifford and Loryne Weller and husband Hugh. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Joe's name may be made to the Marsing Volunteer Ambulance or your favorite charity. The family would like to thank Complex Care Hospital for the compassionate support we received from the doctors, nurses and staff, especially Dr. Griggs and Dr. Nowbar.