Clarence Vander Sanden

Rock Valley, IA: Clarence Vander Sanden, 94, of Rock Valley, Iowa, died Saturday, May 11, 2019, at Whispering Heights in Rock Valley. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 16, at 11:30 AM at First Reformed Church of Rock Valley with Rev. Dr. Verlyn Boone officiating. Burial will follow at Valley View Cemetery of Rock Valley. Visitation, with the family present, will be held Wednesday, May 15, from 6:30-8:00 PM at First Reformed Church of Rock Valley.

   Clarence Vander Sanden, son of John and Hermina (Wissink) Vander Sanden, was born October 25, 1924, in Rock Township, Iowa. On December 12, 1946, Clarence was united in marriage with Klazina Visser in Rock Valley, Iowa. To this union 5 children were born. Clarence was a farmer. In their early years of farming in western South Dakota near the reservation, they would oftentimes have the Lakota Indians visit their farm. He enjoyed planting extra sweet corn so he could deliver it to the neighbors up and down the road. Clarence worked many years on the original Lyon Sioux water board. He was instrumental in visiting farms to acquire easements to install clean water for the rural farms. Clarence had a servant’s heart. He served on various boards and was an elder, deacon, and Sunday school teacher at First Reformed Church in Rock Valley. Clarence was a member of the Gideons and was also involved in Prison Ministry. Clarence enjoyed his trips to Arizona with Klazina, where they wintered with other family members.

   Clarence is survived by his children, Devonne (Richard) Bos of Inwood, Iowa, June (Delbert) Knobloch of Rock Valley, Peggy (Paul) Watland of Twin Falls, Idaho, and Violet (Patrick) McNamara of Pembroke Pines, Florida; daughter-in-law, Connie Vander Sanden of Inwood; 14 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; and 2 sisters, Henrietta Bajema of Hills, Minnesota and Esther (John) Van Otterloo of Seal Beach, California.

   He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Hermina; wife, Klazina; son, Jerry; grandson, Jeff Knobloch; great-grandson, Ike Rentschler; and sisters, Dorothy Driesen and Mable Ten Haken.