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BORN
1928
DIED
2021
Jack Vandelaar Obituary
August 10, 1928 - December 8, 2021
Jack Keith Vandelaar, 93, of Yuma, Arizona, sadly passed away peacefully on December 8, 2021 with family lovingly by his side. Jack was born on August 10, 1928 to Jack and Dorothy Vandelaar in Iowa.
His parents ran a small resort in Death Valley, California where he and his sisters worked and played before the family finally settled in Salem, Oregon.
Jack met the love of his life, Janet Marilyn Nordeen, at a skating rink in Portland, Oregon and they married in 1949. They had three children, Jack, Dennis and Susan. Jack and Marilyn eventually moved to Anchorage, Alaska where he worked at Fort Richardson Army Base as a contract estimator. They enjoyed spending time in their condo in Kauai, square dancing, and playing cards with their loving friends, eventually moving to Yuma, AZ after retirement. Jack also loved fishing, hunting, traveling, and always dreamed of getting his private pilots license. But he also had a massive passion for rocks and was considered an expert and a Rock Hound. He gave lectures and classes in his later years, even leading a Rock Club with rock tours throughout Arizona and Mexico. Everyone who met Jack found that he loved life (so much so, he was determined to live to 100) and even began planning a new online business a few weeks before passing. Most of all, his family was his pride and joy.
Jack was predeceased by his sisters, Lucille DeReave, Ethel Marshall, and, his beautiful wife, Marilyn, of whom he heroically pulled from a fire which burned their home down to ashes in 2015.
He is survived by his eldest son, Jack Vandelaar of Winter Park, CO with his wife Jana, son Dennis Vandelaar of Ft. Meyers, FL and his wife Barbara, and his loving daughter, Susan Jolly of Yuma, AZ with her husband Don. He has seven grandchildren Christina Avelar, Kristopher Jolly, Tiffany Lawrie, Aaron Vandelaar, Nicole Battjes, Eric Vandelaar, Jacqueline Vandelaar and eight great grandchildren Mia, Axel, Otto, Luca, Brooks, Starla, Syrenna, and Jack Henry.
His family respects his request to forego a memorial. In lieu of flowers or donations, please remember him fondly. He will be missed very much but he will live on forever in our hearts.
Please sign the guestbook at www.legacy.com/obituaries/yumasun
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jack Vandelaar
3 Entries
Terry Wittmeier
December 22, 2021
I met Jack when I was looking for some advise on stones for a belt buckle that I wanted to make. He gladly assisted me and taught me about tumbling stones, cutting machines, buffing and polishing. He willingly shared his knowledge with anyone who would listen. Jack, unfortunately never got to see the finished belt buckle as Covid intervened. I think of him every time I wear it.
You are missed.
Carole and Laurie Silbernagel
December 17, 2021
Our deepest sympathies to jack´s family. We lived next to Jack and Janet for several winters. We became very good friends. Lots of visits at the park and hospital. Jack was very special to us.
Kelly Sherman Hall
December 14, 2021
My deepest sympathy to your family. Many fond memories of Jack and Marilyn here in Yuma and our Kenai River property we shared in Alaska. Jack took me fishing when I caught my first Cohoe on the river. Blessings to your family and may you hold those memories dear to your heart
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