MARIE VANDER VEN obituary

Marie Vander Ven, 96, died Thursday, Feb. 10, 2005, at Northern Montana Care Center of natural causes.

A vigil service will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday at St. Jude's Catholic Church. The funeral Mass will be

held at 2 p.m. Monday at St. Jude's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the Calvary Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon will be held

immediately after the committal service at the Parish Center.

Marie was born Aug. 16, 1908, in Nijmegan, Holland, to Henry and Petronella Verploegen. The family immigrated to America in 1910 and settled in Milwaukee, Wis., before homesteading north of Havre in 1917.

In 1926, Marie married Oscar Thompson. They had two children, Fern and Kathleen, while they farmed north of Havre. Oscar died in 1930. In 1935, she and her children moved to Havre. Marie supported her family by cleaning houses, offices, and as a chamber maid at the Havre Hotel. During World War II, she worked for the Great Northern Railway, cleaning passenger cars.

In 1945, Marie married John Vander Ven. John died in 1950.

Marie was active her entire life, doing good for others in community. She worked at the blood drawings for the American Red Cross and was active in Big Brothers and Sisters, winning an award in 1986. She also was involved in Northern Montana College Elderhostel. She ran in the Governors Cup Race in 1989, placing second in the 80 and over age group. In 1993, Northern Montana College awarded her a Human Rights award for her community service. She was a member of St. Jude's Catholic Church, Altar Society, women of the Moose Lodge and the VFW Auxiliary. In 1996, at the age of 88, Marie received her G.E.D. She worked very hard and was extremely proud of this accomplishment. She also published her memories in 2003.

Survivors include her children, Fern Vosen of Kalispell, Kathleen Stewart and Pete (Annette) Vander Ven of Havre; sister-in-law, Lydia Verploegen; 20 grandchildren; 35 great-grandchildren; and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Memorials in Marie's honor may be made to the Havre-Hill County Library, 402 Third St., Havre, MT 59501, or St. Jude Thaddeus School or Parish Center, 624 Fourth St., Havre, MT 59501.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.