Donald Vander Molen, 80, of Peoria died Aug. 27, 2015, in Oskaloosa. A private family burial was held prior to the funeral on Aug. 31 at Peoria Christian Reformed Church. Memorials are for Peoria Christian School and Zuni Christian School in New Mexico.
Donald was born at his family's farm on Oct. 8, 1934, to Gerrit and Marie (Roose) Vander Molen.
Donald lived most of his life in the Peoria area and attended Peoria Christian Grade School and Sully High School. He married Rachel Ann Blauwkamp on June 27, 1962, in Borculo, MI, and to this union they welcomed two sons: Dan and Jeff. He was in the Air National Guard and was honorably discharged in 1964.
Throughout Donald's life, he farmed in the Peoria area. Don and Rachel lived in the Phoenix, AZ, area for eight years, where he worked in pest control and as janitor in the Phoenix Christian Reformed Church and Red Cross. Upon returning to Iowa, Don and Rachel were janitors at the Peoria Christian Reformed Church, and Don most recently worked at the parts center at Vermeer Corporation. He was a member of Peoria Christian Reformed Church and participated in the Junior Men's Bible Study and Faith Builders Bible Study groups.
Donald is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rachel; his two sons, Dan (Lynda) Vander Molen of Chandler, AZ, and Jeff (Kim) Vander Molen of Peoria; seven grandchildren: Dawn (Glenn) Jackson, Autumn (Michael) Brown, Harmony Vander Molen, Blake Vander Molen, Devin (Clair) Vander Molen, Keegan Vander Molen, and Tessa Vander Molen; and two great-grandchildren: Colin and McKenzie Jackson.
Donald was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Marvin (Gladys) Vander Molen; and parents-in-law, Henry and Grace Blauwkamp.
Don loved to visit with friends and family and never knew a stranger. He was even known as the unofficial greeter at the nursing home where he lived for the last 5.5 years. Don will be missed by his family and many friends.
