Eugene VanDeVoorde

EUGENE MELVIN VANDEVOORDE

Brooklyn

Eugene Melvin VanDeVoorde, 88, of rural Brooklyn, died May 26, 2022, at his home following a courageous battle with a brief illness. A Mass of the Resurrection is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, June 2, at St. Bridget Catholic Church in Victor with the Rev. Scott Lemaster presiding. Burial, with military honors with members of the Victor American Legion Ceremonial Guard, will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Victor. Visitation with the VanDeVoorde family present will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, June 1, at Smith Funeral Home in Victor. A rosary will be said following the visitation at 6 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be designated to the Eugene VanDeVoorde Memorial Fund and mailed in c/o Smith Funeral Home, P.O. Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112.

Gene was born March 7, 1934, in Williamsburg, Iowa, the son of Ed and Hilda (VanOtegham) VanDeVoorde. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served nearly two years in Korea.

Gene was united in marriage to Marilyn Elizabeth O'Toole on Aug. 8, 1970, at St. Malachy's Catholic Church in Ardon, Iowa. They were the parents of four children: Mary, David, Mark and Kevin.

Gene was a farmer on the family farm, near Brooklyn, for many years. He enjoyed his pet cows and feeding calves. He also enjoyed watching parades and viewing old-time cars and tractors, playing checkers with his grandchildren and visits from his children and grandchildren. He had the ability to recall dates and details of past events.

Gene is survived by his wife, Marilyn; his four children, Mary (Pat) McDonald, Dave (Michelle) VanDeVoorde, Mark VanDeVoorde and Kevin (Jenni) VanDeVoorde; his nine grandchildren, Connor, Aidan, and Meredith McDonald, Hayden, Callie, Katie, Alison, Brian and Megan VanDeVoorde; and two sisters, Theresa Thuerauf and Joyce Connolly.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Louis and Richard; and one brother-in-law, Paul Thuerauf.