Pella —
Howard Keith Vander Linden, 90, passed peacefully on January 17, 2013, in San Luis Obispo, California. He was born in Pella in February, 1922 to Bernard and Elizabeth Sikkink Vander Linden. His father "Bernie" was the owner and pharmacist of the Vander Linden Rexall Drug Store in town, which subsequently passed to his brother, Ken Vander Linden, and his nephew, Tom Vander Linden. Howard was a World War II veteran and served in the 104th Infantry in the European Theater. He was a student at Central College when he enlisted and ultimately finished his degree in 1980 ! Known as "Van" by many of his close friends, he worked for Rexall Drug Company for almost four decades, ultimately serving as Chief Executive Officer.
Howard is survived by his daughters Anne Marr (Don) of San Luis Obispo, CA, Gina Hess (Graham) of Oakville, Ontario, Canada, and Jane West (Scott) of Albequerque, NM; grandchildren Amanda Marr, Kate Juergens (Scott), Stephen Hess (Katie), and Dan Hess (Sarah); great-grandchildren Claire, Lucy, Rylan, and Grayson; and his sister Bernace Vander Linden Cherkala of Munroe Falls, Ohio.
Howard was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Florence Van Cleave Vander Linden, of Pomona, CA, and his brother Kenneth Vander Linden of Pella, Iowa.
In addition to living in San Luis Obispo, Howard and Flo lived and raised their children in Southern California, Toronto, Canada, St. Louis, MO, and Cambria, CA. Howard was a lifelong supporter of the arts, and sat on the Boards of the Hearst Castle and the San Luis Obispo Symphony. And he especially loved golf and lawn bowling.
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