Funeral services for Henry Vande Voort, 85, were held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, 2020, at Peoria Christian Reformed Church with the Rev. Todd Rempe officiating. Interment was in Peoria Cemetery. Memorials have been designated for Peoria Christian School or World Renew.
Henry Louis "Hank" Vande Voort, son of Henry and Ella Vande Voort, was born Oct. 29, 1937, near Reasnor. When he was 10 years old, they moved to Albert Lea, MN. He went from a one-room school house to a class of over 300 students. There he participated in Future Farmers of America, which helped prepare him for his lifetime of farming. In 1956, God led him to attend a Bible camp near Wellsburg where he met the love of his life, Ruth Jane Haupt. He married her June 12, 1958, and it was a beautiful marriage of over 64 years. They established their first farming operation — milking cows — near Eldora. After four years, they sold the cows so they could purchase their own farm nearby where they lived and started raising hogs. Many memories were made at Three Oaks with their four children: Jerry, Jane, Bonnie, and Henry John as Hank involved them in all aspects of farming … building projects, repairing equipment, and teaching them responsibility in daily chores.
In order that his children could attend a Christian high school, in faith, in 1974 he bought a farm near New Sharon and moved his family and farming operation. They immediately became involved in Peoria Christian Reformed Church and School. Hank served several terms on the consistory and on both Peoria Christian School and Pella Christian High School Boards. During these years, he was blessed with 19 grandchildren and 33 great- grandchildren. Each one held a special place in his heart, which was evident by Hank and Ruth’s attendance at their baptisms, professions of faith, school events, and marriages whether near or far.
After 85 years of life on earth, he peacefully entered eternal life in heaven on Dec. 10, 2022.
His wife Ruth; their four children and their families: Jerry (Wanda) Vande Voort of New Sharon, Jane (Marv) Rubingh of Ellsworth, IL, Bonnie (Phil) Kooiker of Tinley Park, IL, and Henry John (Sarah) Vande Voort of New Sharon; his sister Ruth and Cal Branderhorst; his brothers Everett and Jeanette Vande Voort, George (Jan) Vande Voort, Paul and Bev Vande Voort, and Ken (Chris) Rindels and Dar (Phil) Vande Voort look forward to sharing their eternal life with him.
Hank will be remembered for his example of service to God shown through his generous giving to family, church, and community with time, talents, and love. He was a blessing to so many!!!
