Obituary of Madge Vander Woude

Magdaline (Madge to all who knew her) Winifred Kreykes Vander Woude died on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 of complications from lung cancer. For all of us who gently urged her to quit smoking, we are pleased that her last words were not, "I want a cigarette." Madge was born on a farm near Sheldon, Iowa on March 29, 1912. Her parents, her husband, Richard and two sisters preceded her in death. She is survived by her son, Dick Vander Woude of Madison, Wisconsin, her daughter, Mary Vander Woude of Okoboji, Iowa, her brother Gary Kreykes of Spirit Lake, Iowa and her three grandchildren, Eric Vander Woude of Los Angeles, California, Alec Vander Woude of Santa Cruz, California, and Clare Vander Woude of Madison, Wisconsin. Madge married Rich Vander Woude at her parent's home in Hospers, Iowa on August 23, 1936. They moved to Arnolds Park where they ran the Skelly gas station and lunchroom formerly near the Hwy 71 entrance to the amusement park. In 1946, they moved to their home near Sunset Beach where she helped run the new Skelgas Company, gardened, gathered night crawlers for the bait shops, read and raised her family. She was a rare beauty, who could have been a calendar girl for Lucky Strike. As her children progressed through school she was always there. She was a frequent room mother, and admiring parent at band and choir concerts, school plays and a vocal team supporter, as many an official would attest. In 1968 they built and moved into their new home on Smith's Bay where she lived for the remainder of her life. The Lake Okoboji view of the boats, the fish shacks, the cars on the grade and the ducks on the water was her favorite entertainment. She was fond of animals and often sighted her grandchildren as the reason for keeping rabbits and ducks in the yard during the summer months. She often cried in the fall when they went to the farm…but most of all, she enjoyed meeting and being with people. Madge was always active. As a member of the Arnolds Park Methodist Church she served in the Lady's Aid, organized church suppers and sung in the choir. If there was work to be done she was usually there. She loved sports and played basketball in high school, bowled on winning teams in Spirit Lake, Spencer, Milford and Arnolds Park. She then took up golf in her sixties. Until the age of 92, she worked as hostess and made salads at The Wharf, simply because she enjoyed the camaraderie. She also relished boasting to friends and family (or anyone who would listen) that she was the "Mother of the Mayor". Her son and daughter will always remember her as the eternal flame that comforted them when they were down, warmed them when they were alone, and burned their backsides whenever she felt they needed it. Her spark is gone - an era has ended. May each of us make as much of our lives.