Obituary of Vander Heiden

Memorial Tribute Alma Marion (Schmidt) Vander Heiden, the daughter of Paul and Franciska (Escher) Schmidt was born on October 28, 1926 in Fordyce, NE. She spent her childhood years in Coleridge, NE where she attended country school through the 10th grade, and graduated from Coleridge High School. In 1947, she graduated from the Methodist School of Nursing in Sioux City, IA. On September 16, 1950, she was united in marriage to Ernest Vander Heiden at Sioux City, IA. Following their marriage, the couple spent seven years in Nebraska, and then moved to a farm near Primghar, IA. They retired and moved to Sanborn in 1991. Alma spent much of her nursing career as a surgical nurse in both Sioux City and Primghar. She later volunteered for 15 years for Hospice--an organization that meant a great deal to her. She helped implement a local program to contribute funds to Hospice through the collection of cans and bottles. As long as her health would allow, Alma was a very active person. She was a wonderful cook, seamstress, and always a joy to come home to. She enjoyed many activities such as gardening and tending to her flowers, doing crossword puzzles, reading and playing cards. Alma and Ernie enjoyed going to dances, golfing, and traveling. Keeping up with the grandchildren was very important to her. Alma entered the Sanford Senior Care Center at Sheldon in March of 2007, and passed away there on July 10, 2007. She is survived by her husband of nearly 57 years, Ernest; her children and their families: Diane and her husband John Shea, Lori and her husband Gary Fichman, all of Douglas, WY, and Paul Vander Heiden of Grand Marais, MN; six grandchildren: Sean, Brian and Patrick Shea, and John, Katherine (Katie) and Hannah Vander Heiden; three sisters-in-law: Lucina Gallagher of Chicago, IL, Johanna Steffen of Crofton, NE, and Elizabeth and her husband Norbert Dickes of Laurel, NE; other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents, and sister Rita Kurtzhal. In Remembrance of Alma Vander Heiden Born ~ October 28, 1926 Died ~ July 10, 2007 Age ~ 80 years 8 months 12 days Funeral Service 10:30 a.m. Saturday, July 14, 2007 St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church, Sanborn, IA Officiating ~ Fr. Tim Hogan Organist ~ Beth Vanden Hoek Soloist ~ Julee Burns Musical Selections "Be Not Afraid" “Amazing Grace” "Song of Farewell" “How Great Thou Art” Pallbearers Sean Shea John Shea Patrick Shea Gary Fichman Paul Vander Heiden Edward Steffan Honorary Pallbearers Brian Shea John Vander Heiden Katie Vander Heiden Hannah Vander Heiden Ushers Norbert Klein Daryl Strenge Interment St. Cecilia’s Catholic Cemetery, Sanborn