Calvin Vanden Hoek

 Calvin Jay Vanden Hoek, 73, was welcomed into God’s presence on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Born February 8, 1951, to Tony and Harena (Vander Ley) Vanden Hoek in Platte, South Dakota, Calvin was the fifth of six children. He grew up on a family farm near Harrison, South Dakota. Cal attended Corsica Christian Grade School and Dakota Christian High School. He attended Dordt College for a short time, where he met Lois TeVelde from Lynden, WA. Cal then attended Denver Automotive and Diesel College.

Cal and Lois were married June 14, 1972, at Bethel Christian Reformed Church in Lynden, WA. They made their home on a farm near Corsica, South Dakota, where they raised six children. Cal started his career at the local John Deere Dealership but then started farming full-time. In 1980, he opened a machining and welding shop, Cal’s Farm Repair, while still raising some livestock on the farm. Farmers who depended on his timely repairs to their farm equipment appreciated his integrity, his quality work, and his listening ear.

Besides working hard to provide for his family, Cal served as deacon, elder, Sunday School teacher, and school board member. He was raised in Harrison Christian Reformed Church and attended there with his young family as well. In Lynden, the family attended Bethel Christian Reformed Church and later Lynden United Reformed Church.

Tinkering, fixing things and farming were his hobbies, but in his 30’s, Cal also pursued and obtained his private pilot’s license. He loved to fly over the South Dakota landscape on a quiet Sunday afternoon.

In 1992, Cal and Lois moved their family to Lynden, Washington. Cal sold his business to two of his nephews. In Lynden, he worked at Farmer’s Equipment Company until his retirement in 2017. In 1996, the family moved from Lynden to North Telegraph Road near Sumas, giving Cal more space for projects and some land for farming on the side. Before Cal retired from Farmer’s Equipment, his battle with cancer began. On a beautiful sunny day, he was given rest from the battle and was received by his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He died at home with family by his side.

Husband, father, and grandfather, Calvin will be dearly missed by his wife of 52 years, Lois; by his children Amy (Mike) Vande Voort, Heidi (Cal) Gudde, Scott, Debbie (Mike) Szostak, Laura (Chris) Powell, and Melissa (Ben) Van Loon, and by his 15 grandchildren: Emma (husband Braden) Nydam, Hendrick (fiancé Emily Zuidema), Hazel and Eva Solano, Caleb, Emily, Noah, and Isaac Szostak, Levi, Isaiah, and Bethany Powell, and Brantley, Paige, Easton, and Tess Van Loon. In his immediate family, Cal was preceded in death by his bother Leroy. He is survived by his sister Lillian and his brothers Ken, Roger, and Dan Vanden Hoek.

Donations can be made in Cal's memory to Dakota Christian School 37614 SD Hwy 44, Corsica, SD 57328 or Lynden Christian School 417 Lyncs Drive, Lynden, WA 98264

Visitation will be Saturday morning, January 25, 2025, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Gillies Funeral Home followed by a Graveside service at 10 a.m. in Greenwood Cemetery. On the same day, his Memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. at United Reformed Church on Benson Rd., Lynden with Rev. Mark Vander Pol officiating.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.