Norman Vander Linden
Norman Vander Linden
January 21, 1924 – June 19, 2011
Fremont, Iowa
Visitation: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. June 21, 2011 at Fremont Funeral Chapel
Funeral Service: 10:30 a.m. June 22, 2011 at Hedrick- Martinsburg United Methodist Church
Interment: Evergreen Cemetery, Leighton, Iowa
Norman Vander Linden, age 87, of Fremont, died Sunday, June 19th, 2011, at Hospice Serenity House in Oskaloosa. Visitation will be held after 11:00 AM Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at the Fremont Funeral Chapel with family present from 6:00 until 8:00 PM. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 22, at 10:30 AM at the Hedrick Martinsburg United Methodist Church in Hedrick, with Rev. Kim Gates officiating. A procession will form at 12:15 PM at the church to proceed to Evergreen Cemetery near Leighton, Iowa, for interment. Norman was born January 21, 1924, in Marion County, Iowa, the son of Rueben H. and Sarah Ada Dykstra Vander Linden. He graduated from Pella High School with the class of 1942. Following graduation he began working on the family farm with his dad. He was united in marriage to Edith Brummel, March 28, 1945, at the Ebenezer Reformed Church in Leighton, Iowa. After their marriage, Norman farmed and worked in the Leighton area for the first two years. In 1948, he purchased his own farm north of Hedrick and continued to live and farm there for 50 years, until his retirement in 1998. In 1997 Norman and Edith moved to their home in Fremont. Norman loved the land and appreciated what it meant to be entrusted to till the soil. He raised row crops and hogs for most of his farming career. He loved horses, and owned draft horses and two mule teams. Norman won multiple awards showing his favorite black mules, “Jim and Jan”. He enjoyed his involvement in the Fremont Saddle Club, camping at the Iowa State Fair, woodworking projects, and checking out the horse sales. He was a faithful member of the Hedrick Martinsburg United Methodist Church and served for many years on the Hedrick School Board. Without question, his greatest love was his family, and he will always be remembered as an exemplary husband, father, and grandfather. His influence as a man of integrity and Godly character has impacted his family in immeasurable ways. His lessons included the realization that if you would like to leave a mark on this world, you’d better wear your work boots. Several of his grandchildren have continued his legacy, having pursued farming and agricultural careers. Norman is survived by his wife Edith, three daughters; Jean (Ron) Brown of Milan, IL., Janet Wonderlich of Shelbyville, KY., and Joni (Steve) Roquet of Fremont, IA; seven grandchildren, Brian (Amy) Brown, Scott (Shannon) Brown, Ryan (Holly) Wonderlich, Kortney (Rob ) Ryan, Grant (Leslie) Wonderlich, Brett Roquet and Bryce Roquet. and five great-grandchildren; a brother; Herman L. (Erma) Vander Linden of Oskaloosa,IA. and a sister; Lorraine (Melvin) Vander Hoek of Bettendorf, IA. He was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Roger Wonderlich, and his parents. Memorials may be made in his name to the Hedrick Martinsburg United Methodist Church or the Serenity Hospice House of Oskaloosa.
Source: Fremont Funeral Chapel
