VanderZwaag, J. Russell 1918-2013

VANDERZWAAG, MUILENBURG, MULDER

Posted By: Wilma J. Vande Berg - volunteer (email)
Date: 1/22/2013 at 15:20:36

J. Russell Vander Zwaag
May 18, 1918 - January 19, 2013
Mr. Russell Vander Zwaag, age 94, of Hull, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 19, 2013, at the Sioux Center Community Hospital.

There will be a funeral service on Wednesday, January 23, at 1:30pm, at the First Reformed Church in Hull. The Rev. Harlan De Jong will officiate. Interment will follow at the Hope Cemetery in Hull. John Russell was born on May 18, 1918, on a farm near Middleburg, the son of Bert and Cynthia (Muilenburg) Vander Zwaag. He was baptized and made Confession of Faith at the Free Grace Reformed Church of Middleburg.
On October 19, 1945, he married Jeanette Mulder of Hull at the First Reformed Church parsonage. After their marriage, he joined the First Reformed Church of Hull, where he was active in Mixed Chorus, Men’s Chorus, and Men’s Brotherhood.

"Russ" lived on his family Century Farm for 89 years and actively farmed for over 60 years. He enjoyed preserving the heritage and history of rural agriculture by farming with horses and restoring antique machinery. Throughout his farming career, "Russ" used Belgian and Percheron draft horses for farm tasks, including sowing oats and mowing his slough and roadside ditches.

He built two covered wagons of his own design and participated in Wagon Trains and numerous parades. He collected and restored antique machinery, some of which is displayed at the Sioux County Fairgrounds. He was active in the Hull Saddle Club.

John Russell and Jeanette were married for 54 years. Jeanette passed away July 27, 2000. "Russ" remained on the farm until he moved to Hull in November, 2007, and lived in his own home until he was hospitalized on December 30, 2012.
John Russell is survived by his daughter, Lora Vander Zwaag of Sioux City; five sisters-in-law, Henrietta Wassenaar, Joan Boeve and Evelyn Rens, all of Hills, Minnesota, and Catherine De Wit and LaVonne, and her husband Hilmore Kroese, all of Hull; a brother-in-law, Anthony Smit of Hull; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife and mother, he was preceded in death by a sister, Claretta Mulder.
Source: Oolman Funeral Home, Orange City, IA., obit