William E. Weidenaar, 93, stepped into Heaven October 5, 2006 in Pearland, TX. He was a resident of Vancouver, WA until 2000, when he moved to Texas to live with his daughter, Peggy. He will be greatly missed because he was a man of true character with a wonderful sense of gratitude and a great sense of humor. He was born June 25, 1913 in Bozeman, MT to parents of Dutch descent. He was extremely proud of being a "Dutchman". He married Alfreda in 1942 while he was serving in the Army. In 1944, he was deployed to serve on the European front during World War II. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he spent most of his working life farming in northern Montana. In 1964, he moved his family to Pullman, WA where he worked at WSU in the Veterinary School. He and Alfreda, who was an R.N. in Pullman, retired to Vancouver, WA in 1975 to be closer to their four children. He then threw all his energy into creating a yard and garden worthy of Better Homes and Gardens. He and Alfreda were known for their hospitality, especially to the younger generations. He was a member of Trinity Bible Church in Portland, OR. He will be remembered as a man whose life spoke volumes about his love and devotion to his wife of 58 years, love of family and love for his Lord and Savior. He relentlessly pursued knowledge of the Lord by spending time reading his Bible. His wife, Alfreda, his daughter, Ruth, and his siblings, Edith and John preceded him in death. Mr. Weidenaar is survived by his son, Dr. Richard Weidenaar and wife, Pat, and their children, Kim and Nick of Brush Prairie, WA; daughter, Peggy and her husband, Art, of Pearland, TX, who have lovingly cared for him for the last six years, and their children, Marci, Sara and Troy; daughter, Carolyn and her husband, David, of Fairbanks, AK and their children, Charlie, Craig, Jennie and Eliana; two sisters, Bertha and Betty in Manhattan, MT; ten great-grandchildren and numerous other loving relatives and friends also survive him. His wish for a graveside only service will be honored at Evergreen Memorial Gardens on Friday, October 13, 2006 at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be sent to American Hospice, Inc., 11200 Richmond Avenue, Suite 110, Houston, TX 77082.
Published in the Columbian on 10/13/2006