ALTHEA M. VANDERHOOF

Althea M. Vanderhoof, age 91, formerly of N7322 Birch Point Drive, Little Elkhart Lake, was called to her loving God early Friday morning, Jan. 1, 2009, at Kindred Hearts Assisted Living in Plymouth where she had resided for the past four years.

Althea was born Sept. 29, 1918 in Plymouth, Wis., a daughter of the late Otto and Gertrude Kerch Zinkgraf. She attended St. John the Baptist Grade School and graduated from Plymouth High School in 1936.

Althea worked at Lakeshire-Marty Co. in Plymouth from 1936-47.

On Oct. 18, 1947, she married Gilbert L. “Gib” Vanderhoof at St. John the Baptist Parsonage in Plymouth. The couple resided in Little Elkhart since their marriage. She was a stockholder in Dairy State Bank, which her husband helped organize and chartered. Her husband preceded her in death Aug. 21, 1994.

Althea was a member of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, and belonged to the church’s Christian Women’s Society since 1948.

She was a member of the American Legion Post #256 Auxiliary and a volunteer at Rocky Knoll Health Care Facility for five years.

Althea enjoyed her flower garden and needle crafts.

We will miss her gentle spirit and giving heart.

Survivors include two daughters, Joy (Allen) Kranick of Plymouth and Beth (Edward) Rauwerdink of Hingham; two sons, Mark (Mickey) Vanderhoof of Elkhart Lake and Dean (Sherri) Vanderhoof of Little Elkhart Lake; four grandchildren: Janel (Scott) Eernisse of Hingham, Alison (Nick) DeTroye of Oostburg, Burt (Becky) Vanderhoof of Howards Grove and Samantha Vanderhoof of Milwaukee; six great-grandchildren: Lauren, Evelyn, Elliot and Ethan DeTroye, Caden and Kyler Eernisse; one sister, Yvonne Khayata of Florida; and one sister-in-law, Edna Zinkgraf of Plymouth.

She was also preceded in death by three brothers, Oliver, Toby and Owen Zinkgraf; one sister, Ann Hellmer; and two brothers-inlaw, Herbert Hellmer and John Khayata.

Mass of Christian Burial was held Monday evening, Jan. 4, 2010, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Plymouth. The Very Rev. Dennis Van Beek, pastor of the church, was the officiant. Burial took place in the parish cemetery.

A memorial fund has been established in Althea’s name for St. John the Baptist Catholic School.

The Suchon Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Plymouth is serving her family. For online condolences, please visit www.suchonfh.com.

Sincere thank you to the staff of Kindred Hearts for the loving care that was given our mother. They have a special place in our hearts.