Vander Well, Herman 1902-1997

VANDERWELL, DEVRIES, BLOEM

Posted By: Mary Lou Verburg Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/11/2016 at 15:43:03

Herman Vander Well, 94 of Le Mars died Friday June 6, 1997 at Plymouth Manor Care Center in Le Mars.
Services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the First United Methodist Church in Le Mars, with Rev. Lynn Potter officiating. Burial will be in Resthaven Memory Gardens Cemetery.
Masonic service at 7 p.m on Sunday at the Mauer-Johnson Funeral Home of Le Mars.
Mr. Vander Well was born July 7, 1902 in Boyden, IA, to Walter Sr. and Jenny (DeVries) Vander Well. He graduated from Rock Valley High School. He then taught country school for four years near Rock Valley. In 1929 he graduated from Central College in Pella, IA. He married Everdena Bloem on August 24, 1929 at Nevada, IA. She died July 6, 1977. From 1929 to 1932 he taught school in Boyden. In 1932 he moved to Maurice, IA where he was the principal for five years and later was superintendent for seven years. In 1944 he moved to Le Mars where he taught industrial arts and later drivers education until 1970. From 1970-1972 he was supervisor of the school lunch and school bus programs. He also taught at Westmar College from 1952-1968 in the teacher training program for drivers education. In 1972 he became bailiff for Plymouth County District Court, a position he held until his retirement in 1991.
He enjoyed woodworking and fishing. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, a life member of the Iowa State Teachers Association, National Teachers Association, Order of the Eastern Star Chapter #70, Floyd Lodge #537 of Orange City formerly the Giblem Lodge # 332, Scottish Rite Bodies of Sioux City, and the Le Mars Lions Club. In 1966 he was pres. of State Drivers & Traffic Safety Association and had served on the board for several years. He was one of the originators of the drivers education program on both the state and national level.

Survivors include two sons, and their wives, H.D. "Bud" and Jane of Le Mars, Dean and Jeanne of Des Moines, IA; a sister Kate de Haas of Orange City; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Anna Vander Well; two brothers, Steve and Walter Jr.

Source: Local newspaper after June 6, 1997