Louis Vander Zand

Louis Vander Zand never took life lightly. He lived to fulfill the purpose God had for him and he did that by seeking his will around every bend in life.

In 1914, the assassination of Franz Ferdinand was the catalyst which led to the Great War. World War I began in 1914. By 1915, the war was well underway and would continue until 1918. Martin and Helena (Bouwense) Vander Zand of Grand Rapids Michigan already had three children, Maude, Anthony and John. September 16, 1915, their son, Louis joined the family. He had four years with his father, Martin, before he passed away. His mother eventually remarried and gave birth to two more siblings, Albert and Sarah Vandevoorn.

Louis was a quick study and he soaked up the knowledge he gained at Harrison Park Elementary School. He felt lucky to be educated in the new school building that was built in 1925. During that era, public school was free but not the books. The Great Depression of 1929, which devastated all Americans, made it difficult for Louis and his family. His parents could not come up with the extra money to pay for books so Louis had to quit school after the eighth grade. Despite leaving school early, Louis was known for his beautiful penmanship.

During the Depression, Louis traveled around looking for work. He spent some time in Salina, Ohio where his Aunt Kate Deyoung lived. There he found his first job at a furniture manufacturer named Mersman Company. His first check was for a total of 15 cents. Like many out of work young men of that time, Louis was in the CCC from 1934-1935. World War II began in 1939. In 1940, Louis met a beautiful seventeen year girl named Ruth Andree at a 10-cent picture show. Despite blossoming young love, he went off to serve in the US Army in 1941, shortly after Pearl Harbor. His troop was attached to another from Wisconsin and together they got their training in Texas before being sent of to Australia and New Guinea. After four years of bravery, Louis was discharged from the army in September of 1945. His discharge came six months after his wedding to Ruth which was on March 19, 1945.

Ruth and Louis kept their roots in Grand Rapids. After the service, Louis worked for a short time at Kelvinator before finding a long-term position with Associated Truck Lines. He worked there for 32 years before retiring in 1977 at age 62. In 1951, Ruth and Louis put aside enough money to buy their first home. The home they bought that year at 1015 McReynolds NW was the same one they raised their three children Robert, Susan and Jon in, and where Louis lived in until his death.

Besides raising a family and making a living, Louis found time to be involved in the community and invest in many other interests. He was involved in school PTA at Stocking Elementary School where they once fed the entire band and choir from Union High School. Louis loved to camp, fish, travel the United States, bargain hunt at garage sales, read, volunteer at church and escape into his love of photography. For many years he even had his own darkroom. During the 1950-60's, Ruth and Louis took classes together at the GRSBM (Grand Rapids School of Bible and Music). Louis wasn't deeply into music but he did enjoy playing the accordion.

One of his biggest passions for Louis was being involved at church. The greatest day in his life was when he asked Christ into his heart and he was proud to share that. At the Evangelic Covenant Church he started the annual 4th of July breakfast. Later, he and Ruth were charter members of the First Evangelical Free Church. There he used his organizational skills to carry on the breakfast tradition. He also served on the church board as finance secretary, treasurer and deacon. No job was too big or too small. Louis drove the church bus and was very active at church summer camps too. He and Ruth worked at Portage Lake Family Camp, Spring Hill Camp and Rainbow Camp. He volunteered doing maintenance and opening up camp while Ruth worked in the kitchen.

Many Sundays, the family enjoyed having guests or visitors from their church over for dinner. For about 30 years, the Kurdelskis lived next door to Louis and Ruth. They were wonderful friends and they enjoyed watching each other's families grow up. They were there through Ruth's illness and death in 1999, and through the last years when Louis was on his own. Being 90 this year was a huge feat for Louis. He loved that everyone seemed sincerely surprised that he was 90, since he neither looked or acted that age.

Louis lived his life as a loyal "old school" democrat. Being so was quite challenging because his children were all republicans. They understood his views were based on growing up with very little because of his experience with the depression.

Louis was clearly a man of great humility. He was happy to work behind the scenes and he was always generous with his time and money. He was a wonderful man who reached out to everyone around him. Louis will dearly missed and fondly remembered.

Mr. Louis Vander Zand, age 90, passed away Monday, May 29, 2006. He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth. Surviving are his children Robert and Carol Vander Zand of Grand Rapids and their children, Rebecca, Rachael (Brock) Van Til, Michael and Bethany; Susan and John Rosendall and their children, Elizabeth and Lauren; Jon and Lucy Vander Zand of Phoenix, AZ and his children Jenae and Adam. Also surviving are two great grandsons Dominick and Connor Van Till, Louis' sister Sarah Buffum of Cedar Springs and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday at 11:00a.m. at First Evangelical Covenant Church, 1933 Tremont Blvd., N.W. Visitation will be held Thursday from 7:00-9:00p.m. at the Heritage Lifestory Funeral Home - Alt & Shawmut Hills Chapel, 2120 Lake Michigan Dr. N.W and Friday at the church for one hour prior to the service. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Evangelical Free Church, 2077 East Paris S.E. 49546. Please read Louis' lifestory, sign the guest book or leave a memory by visiting www.lifestorynet.com.