Vanderhart, Howard Edwin - 1938-2024

BUITENWERF, FLEENER, JACKSON, SCHURING, STEENHOEK, VAN ZEE, VANDE LUNE, VANDERHART, VOS

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 12/21/2024 at 12:59:48

Howard Edwin Vanderhart, 86, passed away Tuesday, December 10, 2024, at Brio of Johnston in Johnston, Iowa, where he had resided since 2018.
Howard was born September 23, 1938, in Prairie City, Iowa, to the late Carl Edgar and Jeanette (Vos) Vanderhart.
Howard began his education in a one room schoolhouse in Prairie City where he graduated from high school with the Class of 1956. He was an outstanding athlete and talented singer. Howard enrolled in Central College at Pella, lowa, at the age of 17 where he continued to play football and basketball, even at his size. After meeting his high school sweetheart, Howard and Lola Louise Steenhoek were united in marriage on June 27, 1958. They moved to Des Moines, Iowa, where he attended Drake University studying advertising while working for Look Magazine. This employment allowed Howard and Lola to travel extensively, even taking him to California to live for a time. From 1967 to 1971, three children were added to the family: Todd Edmond, Vicki Lynn, and Staci Renee.
Howard eventually started Devan Direct Marketing in Des Moines, Iowa. He found fulfillment with fundraising for the Reformed Church of America Denomination, and other nonprofit organizations, and consulted for Goal Setter Systems for a time. He and Lola spent a lot of time traveling extensively (visiting every state), entertaining friends and riding their bicycles. Together they participated in RAGBRAI for more than 10 years. Howard enjoyed coaching softball and basketball for his children, as well as cooking and gardening. Some of his most cherished memories were spent with his grandchildren at home and at the family’s lake house.
Howard dearly missed his wife, Lola, following her death on January 8, 2021, and both are remembered by their children: Todd Vanderhart of Greenville, Texas, Vicki Vanderhart of Urbandale, Iowa, Staci (Vanderhart) Fleener of Ankeny, Iowa. Howard is also survived by three grandchildren (Kendrick Jackson, Jacob Fleener and Faith Fleener); his sister, Katherine (Herman) Van Zee of Prairie City, Iowa; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law (Lila (Steenhoek) and Marion Schuring of Prairie City, Iowa, Betty (Steenhoek) and Mike Buitenwerf of Iowa City, Iowa, and Gary and Caroline Steenhoek of Fort Lauderdale, Florida); along with many nieces and nephews.
Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Lola; his parents, C. E. and Jeanette Vanderhart; his older brother, Robert Vanderhart and his wife, Ellen; his brother-in-law, Herman Van Zee; and his parents-in-law, Raymond and Elma (Vande Lune) Steenhoek.
Howard served with the United States Army and had been a longtime active member of the Meredith Drive Reformed Church.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., The Bridge, Johnston, Iowa, 10025 NW 62nd Ave.
Interment will be made in the Waveland Cemetery in Prairie City, Iowa
Visitation will be held from 9:30- 11am prior to the service on Saturday at the church.
Source: Van Dyk - Duven Funeral Home website (Pella, IA)