Art “Bud” VanDerWeide, age 83, of Hudsonville, died Thursday, Nov. 7.
Art was born on May 30, 1936, in Boyden, Iowa, to Arie and Jennie (Kooiker) VanDerWeide and grew up on the family farm along with his eight siblings. He received his GED while serving with the army during peace time and was stationed in Hawaii.
He married his wife, Glenda (Toots) Bruxvoort on Aug. 24, 1957. They made their home in Wayland, where they owned and operated the Cowbell Motel, allowing Toots to work, yet remain at home with their four children. Glenda died in 2001.
Art was remarried to Jan Martin in 2002; they were married for five years when Jan also died. He met and married Marge VerStrate in 2009 and they had ten years together.
Art worked for Jay’s Potato Chips as a route driver and in later years worked in the office. His children all have fond memories of going to work with Dad on his chip route. After retiring from Jay’s, he worked as a driver for the auction for 20 years.
Art was a member of the Wayland Christian Reformed Church where he had served as both deacon and elder. He also served as a school board member for Moline Christian School and was active for many years with Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC), now known as World Renew.
Art is survived by his wife, Marge, and his four children, Beth Woltjer (Rick), Art VanDerWeide II, Jodi Johnson (Keith) and Dan VanDerWeide (Tracey); 11 grandchildren, Joshua Johnson, Amanda Woltjer, Nathan Woltjer (April), Steve Johnson, Aaron VanDerWeide, Grant Woltjer (Melanie), April VanDerWeide, Austin Woltjer, Tyler VanDerWeide, Grace Agrella and Sara VanDerWeide; and four great grand-children, Scott, Sadie, Solomon and one on the way.
Also mourning him are Marge’s children, Tim and Eileen VerStrate, Tom and Maribeth VerStrate and Tom and Mary Verkaik, their 11 children and eight grandchildren.
Art is also survived by four brothers and sisters: Vonnie (John) VanMiddendorp, Norman (Ada) VanDerWeide, Audrey (Orville) Pluim, Dennis (Nancy) VanDerWeide, and sister-in-law, Wilma VanDerWeide plus many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
Art also was preceded in death his parents, Arie and Jennie VanDerWeide, and family members, Willie VanDerWeide, Dorothy (Harold) VandeWeerd, Clara (George) Scholten and twin sister, Geneva (Russ) Wichers.
The family will greet visitors at Wayland Christian Reformed Church, 303 E. Elm St. from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 11, and from 10 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m. with Pastor Dan VanDerWeide officiating. Interment will be at Kent Memorial Gardens.
Contributions in memory of Art may be made to Sunset Manor Reflections Unit or World Renew.
