BERTUS "BERT" FRANKLIN VANDER POEL, was six days short of his 90th birthday, died Monday, November 10, 2014, at the Mary Jane Brown Good Samaritan Home in Luverne. He was born November 16, 1924, on the family farm southwest of Edgerton, to James and Bertha (Kortleever) Vander Poel. Bert attended country school and went on to serve his country in the United States Army during WWII.
Bert married Barbara Mary Bauer on January 28, 1953, in St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls, SD. After their marriage, the couple farmed near Edgerton. In April of 1992, the couple retired and moved to Luverne.
In 2000, Bert joined the Catholic Church and was a member of St. Catherine's in Luverne. Bert enjoyed farming and raising pigs, gardening, watching sports on television and following the stock market. He had a very sharp mind, was good with numbers and could add columns of figures in his head.
Bert is survived by his wife, Barb Vander Poel, Luverne; son, Larry (Kathy) Vander Poel, Oakdale; five grandchildren, Jennifer (Steven) Silvera Lindemer, Forest Lake; Cynthia Vander Poel, Minneapolis; Deanna (Jim) Ekholm, Richfield; Adam (Lori) Vander Poel, Minneapolis; and Sarah Vander Poel, Minneapolis; and ten great grandchildren, Ashlyn, Evan, Cajsa, Onie, Jordan, Madelynn, Ian, Janaeyah, Nevaeh & Joseph.
He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Shawn Silvera in 2005; and a brother, Peter Vander Poel. Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Thursday, with parish prayers at 6:30 pm, at the Dingmann Funeral Home in Luverne. Visitation also from 9:30 to 10:30 am Friday at St. Catherine Cathjolic Church. Funeral Mass will be 10:30 am Friday at St. Catherine Catholic Church, in Luverne, officiated by Fr. Thomas Jennings. Burial with full military honors provided by the Luverne American Legion & VFW will be at the St. Catherine Cemetery in Luverne.
To view an online obituary, sign a virtual register book, or order flowers, please visit www.dingmannandsons.com

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