Vannette, Avert W. 1931-2008

VANNETTE, KRAMER, HAVERKAMP

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/12/2010 at 12:00:54

Avert Walter Vannette was born on February 17, 1931, to Avert and Clara (Kramer) Vannette in New Era, Michigan. He was the sixth of their eight children.

Avert lived in New Era until 1946, when his family moved to Holland, Michigan. Avert graduated from Holland Christian High School with the Class of 1950.

He enlisted in the U. S. Air Force and served in the Strategic Air Command as an Aircraft Engine Mechanic for four years.

On June 30, 1955, he married Suzanne Elaine Haverkamp in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In September of 1956, Avert enrolled in Calvin College at Grand Rapids. For three years he took engineering courses, and then changed to Secondary Education. Avert graduated from Calvin College in 1960 with a degree in Secondary Education with majors in Chemistry, Physics and Mathematics.

Their daughter, Susan Kay, was born in February of Avert’s senior year. After one year of teaching in the States, Avert joined the Christian Reformed World Missions. Avert, Suzanne and their seventeen month old daughter left for Nigeria where Avert taught at Hillcrest School for missionaries’ children, in Jos, for one year, and then at Bristow Secondary School, in Gboko, for nine years. He taught Chemistry and Physics to Nigerian Students. While in Nigeria, their son, Avert Glen, was born in October of 1965.

In 1967, during their second furlough, Avert obtained his Masters Degree from Western Michigan University at Kalamazoo, Michigan. Their third child, Mark William, was born in November of 1967. The family returned to the United States in 1971, settling in Holland, Michigan. Avert taught Chemistry and Physics at Calvin Christian High School in Grandville, Michigan from 1972 – 1981.

In July of 1981, Avert, Suzanne and their two sons moved to Pella, Iowa. Avert spent the next sixteen years doing engineering work, retiring in 1997.

Avert spent his retirement years helping with family projects and traveling to visit the children and grandchildren.

Avert was called to his eternal home at the age of 77 years on Monday morning, November 17, 2008, after having fought a courageous battle with Pancreatic Cancer.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 53 years, Suzanne Vannette, his three children and their spouses, and 12 grandchildren. Susan and David Hondred of Altoona, Iowa; A. Glen and Brenda (Branderhorst) Vannette of Washington, Illinois and Mark and Lynn (Veldhuizen) Vannette of Chennai, India.

The surviving members of his original family are three sisters: Lowaine Postema, Elaine Meyers and Jane Knoll, and three sisters-in-law: Wilma (Charles) Vannette, LaVina (Calvin Vannette) De Jonge, and Patricia (Paul) Vannette. Of his wife’s family, he leaves her brother and his wife, Bill and Marybeth Haverkamp.

Avert was preceded in death by his parents: Avert and Clara Vannette, a sister, Angeline Van Maastricht, his three brothers: Charles Vannette, Calvin Vannette, and Paul Vannette; and his parents-in-law: William and Jeanne ( Larooy) Haverkamp. Avert was a member of the Covenant Reformed Church, U.R.C. in Pella, Iowa.

Interment: Oakwood Cemetery

Van Dyk-Duven Funeral Home