Florence Margaret VanDomelen

Florence Margaret VanDomelen, 101, a resident of the Forest Grove community passed away on October 13, 2025 at the Maryville Nursing Home in Beaverton, Oregon.

Florence was born on August 9, 1924 on the family farm on Spreadborough Lane in Forest Grove, Oregon. She was one of eleven children born to William and Mary (Hermens) Vandehey. She attended Visitation Grade School and also St. Mary's High School.

She met her future husband, Donald VanDomelen at a dance. They soon began dating and following a two year courtship they married on January 30,1946 at the Visitation Catholic Church in Verboort, Oregon. They were married for 64 years. They made their home in Banks, Oregon and raised four children, Cynthia, Timothy, Gordon and Sandra. In 1994, they sold the family home in Banks and moved to Cornelius, Oregon. Don passed away on July 28,2010. Florence remained in Cornelius and then moved to The Elms in Forest Grove.

When Florence was young she worked on the family farm, picking local farmers' crops and housekeeping for families in the area. Florence was a homemaker. She also worked outside of the home each summer at the local cannery in Banks. She helped pick crops for her siblings (who were farmers). She was an adult caregiver to family and friends in the community. In later years she worked for Banks School District in the cafeteria.

She enjoyed baking and cooking and made the best pies! She enjoyed gardening and was an avid canner of her bounty. The outside of the home in Banks was always filled with beautiful flowers that she cared for and nurtured. She enjoyed sewing and was a master at Embroidery, Tatting and all needlework. Florence also volunteered at her local church.

Florence enjoyed traveling to the Oregon Coast, Germany and her trips with her brothers and sisters to Reno and local casinos. Her family was always the main thing in her life. Whether it be her children, grandchildren or her weekly card games with her siblings. She was also the local barber for the family. Uncles and Nephews would come to the house and she would give them their signature Buzz cut. (It was the only cut she knew how to do)!

She is preceded in death by her loving spouse Don, William and Mary (Hermens) Vandehey and eight siblings, Gerald Vandehey, Father Irvin Vandehey, Howard ( Dutch) Vandehey, Adrian (Johnny) Vandehey, Ignatius (Naish) Vandehey, Stan Vandehey, Jean VanDomelen and Molly Herb.

She is survived by her four children and their spouses, Cynthia and Steve Lindsey of Goodyear, AZ, Timothy and Cheryl VanDomelen of Forest Grove, Oregon, Gordon and Leah VanDomelen of Beaverton, Oregon, Sandra Shattuck of Portland, Oregon, two siblings, Bob Vandehey and Elaine Duyck, twelve grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

The family suggests donations in Florence's name to St. Francis of Assisi Grade School.