Van Wechel, David 1943-2017

VANWECHEL, DENBESTE, VANMAANEN

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:34

Mr. David Van Wechel, age 73, of Orange City, passed away on Thursday, June 29, 2017, at his residence.

There will be a memorial service on Wednesday, July 5, at 10:30am, at Trinity Reformed Church in Orange City. The Rev. Robert De Boer will officiate. Interment will be prior to the service at the West Lawn Cemetery in Orange City. There will be a family prayer service on Wednesday, at 9:30am, at the church.

Visitation will be after 3:00pm on Tuesday, with the family present from 5:00pm to 7:00pm, at the CHURCH. Arrangements are with the Oolman Funeral Home in Orange City.

David Leon was born on November 24, 1943, in Orange City, the youngest child of Kenneth and Gwendolyn (Den Beste) Van Wechel. He was raised in Orange City, where he graduated from the Maurice-Orange City Community School and Northwestern College.

On July 3, 1963, he married Shirley Van Maanen at the Trinity Reformed Church, where he was a lifetime member. He was a teacher at the Floyd Valley Community School in Alton for seven years and the West Monona Community School in Onawa for three years. He also operated Van Wechel Painting on Saturdays and weekends. After he ended his teaching career, he became a full-time painter, which he did until retirement.

He enjoyed following his children and grandchildren in all their activities. He was an avid fan and supporter of all things Northwestern. He also faithfully followed his grandson, as he played football for Buena Vista College in Storm Lake for four years. However, he wore his Northwestern t-shirt close to his heart, under his Buena Vista apparel.

Survivors include his wife of almost 54 years; two sons and their wives, Todd and Jaci Van Wechel, of Orange City; and Barry and Betsy Van Wechel, of New Port Richey, Florida; two daughters and their husbands, Teri and Tony Anderson, of Orange City; and Bobbi and Kevin Riedemann, of Remsen; ten grandchildren, Amanda (Matthew) Long, Taylor Van Wechel, Beau (Erica) Van Wechel, Brianna Van Wechel, Savanna Van Wechel, Andrew Van Wechel, Tyler Anderson, Kyle Anderson, Michael Anderson, and Ethan Riedemann; two great-grandchildren, Hurley Van Wechel and Emma Long; a sister, Mary Sandbulte, of Sioux Center; and a brother, Paul Van Wechel, of Orange City.

Memorials may be directed to Northwestern College or Trinity Reformed Church.

Source: Oolman Funeral Home online obituary.