Virgil Lawrence Vande Hey

Virgil L Vande Hey finished his earthly journey on November 28, 2021.  “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith” 2 Timothy 4:7

The son of the late Henry Martin & Petronella (Kerkhoff) Vande Hey, Virgil was the proud youngest of seventeen born in the town of Wrightstown  on June 18, 1939.

“Just a Farmer” Virgil was the founder and a partner along with his family of Meadowlark Dairy LLC.

Virgil married Janet Ann Micke October 30,1962. She preceded the family on August 04,1985 leaving behind their family a son, Lloyd (Lisa) Vande Hey their children Olivia (Dean) Koltz, Mary and Clayton.

Daughter, Connie (Jeff) Vande Hei their children Megan (Tanner) Opichka, Anna and Katelyn.

Son, Karl ( Deanna) Vande Hey their children Cody ( Hailey significant other) their son Carson, Aaron, and Austin.

Son, Dean (Amy) Vande Hey their children Payton, Sawyer, and Haylee.

Son, Todd (Lisa) Vande Hey their children Tyler and Danielle.

Son, Terry (Tonia) and their children, daughter, Becky her children Jack, Estelle, Alakai and Arabella. daughter, Brandi and her son Colton. daughter, Torry (Jake) Pfeiffer, and son, Dillion Georgia.

Deceased children Dale, Lori, and Susan.

February 22,1986 Virgil married Sandra Petersen. Together they raised their children Henry (Ashley) Vande Hey and their son Owen. The late beloved Kasey Vande Hey.

Virgil also touched the lives of and leaves behind Kasey’s wife Abby (John) Raye, Stephanie Krafft (Alex Ferron), Everett Olson and his family, Zachary Zalucki and his family, and Daryl Dietrich.

His sister Mary Sprangers. Janet’s siblings Harold Micke, Norman Micke, Melvin and Nina Micke Luanne Quella and sister-in-law Mary Beth Micke.

Sandy’s siblings Judy Petersen and Sven Rudstam, John and Joyce Petersen, Harlan (Joanne special friend) Petersen, Debra Petersen and Jim Kurtzweil, Jerry and Peggy Vanden Elzen. As well as many nieces, nephews and friends.

Those who have gone on ahead include are his sisters and in laws. Vivian & Ray Eiseman, Marlene & Lawrence Sprangers & Leroy Griesbach. Bernice and Art Van Handel. Brother- in- law Leonard Sprangers. Brothers and in laws. Howard and Johanna, Ralph, Clayton and Lauretta, Gordon and Margaret, Roly and Rita, Mark and Florence, Myron and Murilla, Orville and Pat, Gerald ”Butch” and Jean, Aloysius, Eugene, Hilary ”Dick” and Beverly. Sister-in law Mary Kay Micke, brother -in-law John Micke. 

Family and friends may gather at St. Clare Parish-St. Paul Site, 437 Main Street, Wrightstown, on Thursday, December 2, from 2-7pm. A prayer service will conclude the visitation at 7:00pm. Burial will be in St. Paul Cemetery- Wrightstown.  

“Just a Farmer” you said
And I laughed ‘cause I knew
All the things that a farmer
Must be able to do. 

They must study the land
Then watch the sky
And figure just when
Is the right time and why

To sow and to plant
To buy and to sell
To go to the market
With cattle and well…. 

You know the books
That farmers must keep
To pay all those taxes
And able to sleep. 

And you know the fix in’
That farmers must do
When machines like mad monsters
Blow a gasket or two… 

I guess when God needed
Folks to care for his earth
He chose ”Just farmers”                                                            Cause He knew their true worth - By  Helen G Coon

Thank you, for all the love and support from our family and friends. Pastor David Ruddat, and the entire team from Unity Hospice.

Farewell to all my Chiefs, Captains and Goofy B’s.