Jack VanVianen, 83
Jack VanVianen, 83, passed away Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, at his home in rural Kalispell, after fighting diabetes and cancer since 2013. Jack was born May 23, 1934, in Jakarta, Indonesia, to Dutch parents. He spent his childhood in Indonesia and moved to Holland in 1947. He joined the Dutch Navy as a machinist and was honorably discharged in April 1957.
He immigrated to the United States after his discharge and settled in Denver. Wanting to learn English, he attended Emily Griffith Opportunity School in Denver in 1957-1958. Jack was also trained in auto mechanics in 1960. It was very important to Jack to become an American citizen. This took place on Dec. 21, 1962.
Jack held various jobs until he started working for a military contractor for four years during the Vietnam War. After his return to the United States, he worked in the heating/air conditioning/refrigeration business for the remainder of his career. His main places of employment were with Commercial Refrigeration Service Contractors, R.A. Haines, Estes Services and Albertsons in Denver. He retired in 1999.
Jack met Mary Jane Beise through mutual friends and married June 12, 1971, in Denver. They moved to Montana in January of 2000 and spent their time together in Eureka, Bigfork and, lastly, near Creston. Hunting, fishing and collecting rocks in Colorado were activities Jack enjoyed. Over the years he took special care of his animals, especially the dogs. He loved to keep busy around the property and at his cabin in the Yaak. He also helped the neighbors and friends with their building projects. His favorite jobs after retirement were electrical and plumbing. He was still dreaming up new things that needed to be accomplished right up to the time that “the Lord took him home.”
Jack was preceded in death by his brother Jim VanVianen, and his brother-in-law Aad Ernst.
He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Mary Jane; two sons, Jack Paul VanVianen of Colorado, and Scott Andrew VanVianen of Florida; grandson, Zebulun VanVianen, of Missouri; one great-grandson; sister, Flora Ernst, of Holland; nephew, Vincent Ernst, of Holland; and brother-in-law, Bill Beise, and his wife, Deanna, of Minnesota.
A memorial service will be held at 1p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21, at Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home in Kalispell.
Memorials may be made out to Church of Creston, Samaritan’s Purse or a charity of your choice.
Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for Jack’s family.