Kenneth D. VanMaanen

Kenneth Duane VanMaanen, (Van), was born in Boyden, Iowa, on July 31, 1937, to Margaret Henrietta Moret and Hyman VanMaanen.  At an early age his father moved his son to Sioux City, Iowa, where Van later graduated from Gleenwood High School in 1955. 

Van soon joined the Navy and was stationed in Oahu, Hawaii, during the Korean War and received an honorable discharge in 1958.  Van later moved to California for work.  He soon met his sweetheart, Rose Rucker in Anaheim, California.  They were soon married in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1960 and were devoted to each other for 56 years. He loved Rose so much that he took on the responsibility of raising Rose’s four children when they married.  At that time Debbie was 8, Randy 7, Jerry 6, and Lindy 3.  They also had 2 more Sons, Kenny and the youngest, Danny.

 For the first 10 years of their marriage, they stayed in California and later moved to Star, Idaho, where they established VM Ranch.  After the family moved to Star, he started Van and Sons Concrete Construction Company.  His four Sons, Randy, Jerry, Kenny and Danny worked with him throughout the years and Van later retired in 2006, when he was 69.

He became a caregiver to Rose, who lost her sight because of a failed surgery, for the last 20 years of her life.  Van was a very devoted and a loving husband to her.  Van would put her on the tractor when he was feeding stock, and have her drive.  He would tell here to “drive straight”.  If you knew Rose, she probably would have said, “Van, how can I tell where I’m going, I can’t see!”  Then he would say, “ok, go right, go left.”  He also took her in the Razor when he irrigated their land.  She went everywhere he went—they were always together.

Van was very friendly and would always strike up a conversation or a handshake with everyone he met.  He knew the Lord and is resting in his arms now.  Our Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Brother and Friend will be missed by his family and everyone who knew him.

Kenneth is survived by his six children; a Sister, two brothers; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

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