Lowell Vande Noord

Lowell Ray “Bush” Vande Noord was the son of John and Viola (Niemantsverdriet) Vande Noord.  He was born on May 10, 1951 in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

As a child, Lowell attended Lincoln Elementary and went on to graduate from Pella Community High School in 1970. He truly loved one woman his entire life and was married to Ruth Ilene Goodyk on March 24, 1972.  Lowell and Ruth never spent more than few days away from each other in their 46 years of marriage.  It was during this lifetime of love that Lowell and Ruth had three boys: Jeremy, Jason and Travis. 

Known to most as “Bush”, he loved spending much of his time hunting and fishing with family and friends. If you were looking for Bush you would most likely find him outdoors working on the yard, gardening, or feeding the birds.  Being raised by a carpenter, Lowell found himself following his father’s footsteps and was a contractor for more than 50 years.  He enjoyed seeing the construction project he imagined come to reality.  When he was not in the carpentry shop or working on a house, he would be out in the fields farming on his own farm or for family members.  

Bush loved his family, but nothing meant more to him than spending time with his grandchildren.  Whether it was taking his family on vacation or getting them to experience his passions, Bush wanted to be around his grandbabies more than anything.  As a father, Bush was never shy to lend a hand or be there for his sons.  He spent time in the last few years helping two of his sons remodel their homes and took countless trips to visit his son’s family in Kansas City. Lowell loved nothing more than when his whole family would be “home” and have Sunday dinner with him.

There was always a funny story, joke, or childlike mischief when Bush came around.  His sense of humor was contagious and he loved to make people laugh.  Often this humor would lead him to spending time with small children trying to make them laugh or giggle. Bush loved children and was often the first in line when it came to holding babies at family gatherings or on a Sunday at church.

Lowell and Ruth were able to have many special memories together as they traveled to the Western Caribbean, Alaska, Nashville, and Colorado. He also loved a trip the entire family took to the Smokey Mountains. Bush was lucky enough to get to go to Montana elk hunting with his son, Jeremy, and the trip would come up often as one of his fondest memories. Bush will be deeply missed by friends and family.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife Ruth, and their children: Jeremy and Jodi Vande Noord of Prairie City; Jason Vande Noord of Pella; Travis and Krissie Vande Noord of Shawnee, Kansas; and four grandchildren: Jaydon, Janae, Evangeline, and Augustus Vande Noord.

Lowell was preceded in death by his parents John and Viola Vande Noord and his parents-in-law: Jacob and Wilma Goodyk.

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