Piet 'Pete' Van Zomeren, 95

Piet "Pete" Van Zomeren, 95, passed away Nov. 27, 2007, in Kalispell. He had been under the care of the hospice team from whom he received kind, compassionate care for the last few weeks of his life.

Piet was born April 29, 1912, in Rotterdam, Holland. His family moved to America when he was 9 years of age.

Piet married DeCarma Ruth Lillewick on Aug. 22, 1934. They were married 71 years when she passed in 2005. She was the love of his life and "he is now dancing with her."

Piet was active in the Loyal Order of the Moose for many years and enjoyed many friendships as a result of the years of service to the order. He held the highest degree of the order, of which was extremely proud. Piet and his wife, Ruth, enjoyed philanthropic endeavors of the Moose fraternity and Saturday night dances. They would dance all night long! He loved to travel and was able to see much of this country in his 95 years of life.

He was a hard worker, working as a furniture and flooring salesperson, furniture delivery person and carpet installer. His life after retirement was filled by working in the apartment industry as a leasing agent. His love of people made him extremely successful in that position.

He loved his family, nature and wildlife; and enjoyed sitting at his daughter's house the six years of his life and watching the wildlife wander in and out of the woods surrounding the house, while spending time with family and new friends he had met since moving to the Flathead.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruth; son, Leslie; his parents; brothers; and sisters. "His family was waiting with open arms to greet him upon his arrival."

Piet is survived by his daughter, Karen, and Pete Burkett of Kalispell; and son, Richard, and Sally Van Zomeren of Springville, Utah. He has 12 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 5, at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home in Kalispell.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the Flathead County Animal Shelter, c/o Flathead City-County Health Department, 1035 First Ave. W., Kalispell, MT 59901. At his request, these donation can be in the form of money or volunteer hours.

Buffalo Hill Funeral Home is caring for the family.