Meindert "Mike" Vander Galien

Meindert (Mike) C. Vander Galien age 89 of Randolph, passed away on Thursday, December 11, 2014 at the Golden Living Center of Randolph, WI.

Mike was born on February 28th, 1925 at the family home in the township of Manchester, Green Lake County, WI to Charles and Susan (Kramer) Vander Galien. He was baptized into the Christian faith by Pastor Buyma of the First Christian Reformed Church of East Friesland, WI.
Mike grew up on farms which his father rented north and south of Randolph.
He attended grade school for four years at the Proscarin country school and four years at the First Christian Reformed School in East Friesland. He completed his formal education with the eighth grade.
Mike was confirmed in the Christian Reformed faith as a youth. At the time of his marriage he joined Trinity Lutheran Church in Friesland June 11, 1956. The pastor was Warren Steffenhagen. He and his family became a members of Frieden’s Ev. Lutheran Church in Randolph 1964 where he continued to be a member until the time of his death.
Mike worked as a hired hand for his father until he was 30 years old. He also worked at Rockwell in Randolph for 23 years during which time he ran the main rip saw. He also operated the family farm for 30 years from 1964 – 1994.
Mike was well known for many years for his egg route. In later years he owned and maintained rental properties in Randolph. In retirement he and his wife, Evelyn, made annual road trips to the Dakotas and Oregon to visit some of their children and grandchildren. He also enjoyed many types of card games with family, neighbors, and friends.
Mike married Evelyn Ruth Christian at Trinity Lutheran Church in Friesland on October 15, 1955. They lived in Randolph until 1964 when they moved to his wife’s parents’ farm northeast of Randolph and lived on the farm until 1994. Mike and Evelyn had four children: Elaine, Carl, Paul, and Cheryl. Mike and his wife lived together in Randolph until Evelyn passed away in October of 2013. Mike continued to live at home. Our family gratefully thanks David Genn who was Mike’s caregiver the past several years and for all those who made it possible for him to remain in his home as his health was failing.
Mike was a faithful member of Friedens Ev. Lutheran Church in Randolph and was a former member of the Church Council and Bible class.

Mike is survived by their four children: Elaine Marshall of Waterloo (and her special friend) Steve Posthuma of Waupun; Carl (Diane) Vander Galien of Friesland; Pastor Paul (Diane) Vander Galien of Lowell; and Cheryl Nelson of Randolph. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren, and 8 step-great-children; one great-great-granddaughter and one step-great-great granddaughter. Mike is also survived by his brother-in-law Ronald (Doris) Christian of Randolph and sister-in-law Geraldine Dearborn of Juneau as well as his brother and sisters Ed (Flora) Homan of Waupun, Lawrence (Evelyn) Beekman of Randolph, George (Ann) Dykstra of Randolph, and Stuart (Charleen) Vander Galien of Randolph as well as numerous nephews, nieces, and other relatives and friends.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Jeanette DeBoer and her husband Gerhardt DeBoer, brother-in-law Merwin Christian and Merwin’s wife, Arlene, as well as his son-in-law Dean Marshall and son-in-law Mark Nelson.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, at Frieden’s Ev. Lutheran Church, 327 Jones Drive, Randolph, with Rev. Daniel Schumann. Burial will follow in the Randolph Cemetery.

Mike’s family will receive relatives and friends on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Randolph Community Funeral Home, 208 S. High St., Randolph, and on Monday at the church from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

A memorial fund has been established for Hillside Hospice, Beaver Dam and Frieden’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Randolph.

Randolph Community Funeral Home is serving the family.