Jeanette (Jan) Kreun Vander Heide Schenk joined her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, March 23, 2012. She was 94 1/2 years young, and was strong and vibrant. Her smile and thoughtful words will be missed by all who knew her. She was an outgoing, friendly, kind, generous and loving woman, who was cherished by her family and friends. Jan was born on September 6, 1917 in Chandler, Minnesota. She was the fourth child of fourteen born to Cornelius (Carl) and Gertrude Kreun and grew up on the Valley View Farm in Chandler. In 1935, she met her husband, James C. (Jim) Vander Heide. They had their first date at the Lake Shetek Skating Rink when Jan fell down and Jim picked her up and asked her to skate with him. They were married on November 18, 1937 in the Bethel Reformed Church of Leota, MN. They lived in Trosky, MN for 2 years and welcomed their first son, James Daryl in 1939. They later moved to Iowa where Jim taught high school for 3 years. In November 1942, they moved to Southern California and Jim worked at the Long Beach Shipyard, and Jan became a "Rosie Riveter", working for an airplane construction company in South Gate during the war. They welcomed two more children, Gloria Kay and Eric Lee after they moved to Bellflower where they raised their family. Jim passed away in 1981 after 43 years of marriage. In 1983, Jan remarried John Schenk, a widower at Bethel Church. John and Jan were volunteers for Meals on Wheels for 15 years and enjoyed traveling to Europe and Asia. Jan also volunteered at the Artesia Christian Home and was a member of the Laurel Pines Women's Auxiliary. Jan loved to walk and never got her driver's license. In 1995, Jan was presented with the "Beautifying Bellflower Award" by the mayor and City Council of Bellflower for picking up trash during her walks and keeping her neighborhood clean. After 21 years together, John passed away in 2004. Jan was always busy with her family and church. She was a Sunday school teacher and held leadership positions in many church groups, including the Unity Ladies Aid. She gave freely of her time and was a strong supporter of several missionaries through the Reformed Church of America. Her favorite pastimes were reading, sewing, needlework, cooking, walking, volunteering and sending cards to family and friends. Through all the ups and downs of her life, the one thing that never wavered was her faith in God and this is her legacy to the future generations. Her favorite verse was Micah 6:8, "What does the Lord require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God." She is survived by her three children, her eight granddaughters, and her eleven great-grandchildren. Those preceding her passing are her two husbands, her grandson Daryl, four brothers, three sisters, and her daughter-in-law Martha. She will be buried at Rose Hills Memorial Park in Whittier, with a memorial service at Bethel Church in Bellflower at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 31, 2012. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to Bethel Church in Bellflower, CA or to the Artesia Christian Home in Artesia, CA. Please sign the guestbook
at www.presstelegram.com/obits.
Whites Funeral Home
(562) 867-2741
Published in the Long Beach Press-Telegram on March 29, 2012.