Donald Woody Vander Wilt was born June 15, 1942, to Ray and Ruby (Mathews) Vander Wilt in Pella, Iowa. Woody grew up in Pella and was a 1960 graduate of Pella Community High School. He continued his education at Gale Institute of Engineering Drafting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

On October 26, 1962, he was united in marriage to Doris Smith, in Knoxville, Iowa. To this union they were blessed with two children: Steffanie and Chad.

Woody and Doris always took great pride in their business, installing vinyl fence and decking for customers throughout the state of Iowa. Oftentimes, running across family, friends and new customers while promoting the business at their booth in the cattle barn at the Iowa State Fair. Motorcycling, snowmobiling, and boating were always fun adventures - especially when ice cream or fresh-baked pie were part of the trip. During the winter months, they often enjoyed an escape from winter to vacation in the Fort Meyers area. On Saturday mornings, you would often find them visiting with friends at the local coffee shop.  The past few years though, were filled with health-related challenges including both Parkinson's Disease and early onset dementia, requiring him to recently move into a memory care facility in Indianola.

Those left to celebrate his life, include:

Family: Wife: Doris Vander Wilt Children: Steffanie (Dale) Davis, Knoxville, Iowa Michael (Aubrey) Salz, Knoxville, Iowa Autumn Salz, Knoxville, Iowa Thomas (Rachel) Salz, Knoxville, Iowa Chad (Glenda) Vander Wilt, West Palm Beach, Florida Ashley Vander Wilt, Tallahassee, Florida Siblings: Karen Blom, Pella, Iowa Dwight Young (brother-in-law) Pella, Iowa Preceded in Death: Ray Vander Wilt, father Ruby Vander Wilt, mother

Keith Blom, brother-in-law Dolores Young, sister Gail Foster, sister-in-law

Al Foster, brother-in-law

Memorials

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to:

Lake View Camp, www.lakeviewconference.com

Personalized notes can be sent to Doris at:

Doris Vander Wilt

C/O Holland Farms, Memory Care

2800 Sunset Dr

Norwalk, IA  50211