Obituary of Edith May Vanden Berg

    Edith May Vanden Berg, the daughter of Lester and Bertha (Wittgren) Landaal, was born near Pease, MN, north of Minneapolis, on May 9, 1926.  She received her grade school education at Sully, IA, east of Des Moines. When the family moved back to Minnesota, Edith finished her high school years at Edgerton, MN; graduating in 1943 from Western Christian High School at Hull, IA. Following graduation, she enrolled in summer school through Calvin College, earning her teaching certificate.

    The next four years were spent at Sanborn Christian School in Sanborn, IA where Edith taught students in the lower grades. It was while living here, she met her future husband, Frank Edward Vanden Berg, recently returned from service in the United States Army. On June 25, 1947, Edith and Frank were united in marriage at the Christian Reformed Church in Sanborn. The couple would share 42 years together and become parents to eight children – five boys and three girls.

    Now a wife and mother, Edith’s priorities shifted to caring for her growing family and making sure their home was a warm, welcoming place to be. She always planted a big garden, preserving the produce for all to enjoy throughout the year. She was also an excellent cook. The wonderful aromas coming from her kitchen made dinner and supper something to really look forward to – not just for her own family, but for the grandchildren as well. She was especially noted for her pie-making expertise!

    Keeping a household running smoothly would be challenging enough, but Edith’s interest in education remained strong, as evidenced by the 20 Foreign Exchange students she and Frank hosted over the years through Western Christian High School. She was also very active in Republican Women; frequently volunteering at the Sanborn voting site. She was a member of the Prairie View Auxiliary and participated in ladies’ Bible Study as a member of the Christian Reformed Church all in Sanborn.

    Not one to sit idle, Edith’s creative talents went from mending blue jeans to crafting beautiful hand-made quilts and crochet pieces for her family to use and treasure. She was especially fond of traveling – visiting friends and loved ones or just seeing some new sights. Yet, nothing quite took the place of spending time with her children and all their families.

    On Monday, February 18, 2019, Edith passed from this life at the age of 92 years. Preceding her in death were her parents; her husband, Frank; sisters: LaVerne Boersma and Joyce Schouten; one brother, Orville Landaal; brothers and sisters-in-law: Jake (Jennie) Vanden Berg, Dick (Jennie) Vanden Berg, Sam (Josie) Vanden Berg, Sadie (Bernie) Steensma and Catherine (Hank) Dirkson.

    Left to keep her memory close in heart are her children: Leon (Barbara) Vanden Berg of Silver Springs, MD, Lana (Bruce) Van Engen of Sanborn, IA, LaVonna Vanden Berg of Richfield, MN, Laryl (Gail) Vanden Berg of Creston, IA, Lyle (Cindy) Vanden Berg of Sheldon, IA, Laureen Vander Berg of Hartley, IA, Lew (Karen) Vanden Berg of Blaine, MN, Les (Lynda) Vanden Berg of Ankeny, IA; 16 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; sister-in-law, Jessie Landaal of Worthington, MN; brother-in-law, Albert Boersma of Wilmer, MN; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.