John Harry "Sage" Van Vliet Jr

HOOGENAKKER, LAUTENBACH, LILLARD, VANDER ZYL, VANDEVOORT, VAN GORP

Posted By: Gayle Van Dyke (email)
Date: 12/15/2014 at 18:03:01

September 9, 1921 - April 14, 1996

John Harry Van Vliet, Jr., the son of John Harry and Jennie Magdeline (Vander Zyl) Van Vliet, Sr., was born on September 9, 1921 in Pella, Iowa. He attended the Pella Public Schools and graduated from Pella High School with the Class of 1939. As a young boy, he acquired the nickname of Sage.

On April 21, 1942, he and Kathryn D. Lautenbach were united in marriage in Pella. Sage and Katy had five children: Thomas Harry, Patricia Kay, Lois Ann, Elizabeth Jayne and Lori Ruth. Sage was living on his parents farm southeast of Pella, Iowa at the time of their marriage where he and Katy continued to live and Sage farmed for over 50 years.

In 1993, they moved into Pella, where they were making their residence at the Pella Manor. While actively farming, he still kept time for his family and enjoyed their activities. They spent time together waterskiing, flying and camping.

Sage also gave much of his time to organizations. He was involved with the Iowa Renal Disease Association for 14 years; and served on the boards of the Christian Benevolent Association, Pella Rotary Club, Red Rock Lake Association and the Pella Golf and Country Club. Sage spent his retirement enjoying his hobbies of flying, golfing and operating his ham radio.

For the past 16 years, he and Katy have been spending the winters in Mesa, Arizona. Then late Sunday evening, April 14, 1996, he passed away at the Pella Community Hospital in Pella at the age of 74 years, seven months and five days. Those left to honor his life are his wife, Kathy; their five children; 16 grandchildren and ten great-grand children.

Of his original family, Sage leaves an older sister, Jean, Mrs. Russell Hoogenakker of Des Moines, Iowa. He was preceded in death by his parents; two older sisters: Ruth, Mrs. Stan Lillard and Betty, Mrs. Nick Van Gorp; and a son-in-law, Paul Vandevoort. Sage was a member of the First Baptist Church in Pella, Iowa. He will be greatly missed by all.

For those desiring, memorials may be designated for the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at the Pella Community Hospital in Pella, Iowa.

Text taken from funeral card.