Urban Pierre VanderWey was born April 9, 1924 to John and Grace (Eringa) VanderWey at home in Lakeview, SD. As a child, Urban was an adventurous spirit. He was known to disappear on horseback to go for a swim at the Minnechaduza Creek, or to go camping. Urban also showed his ingenuity at a young age. He taught himself many useful skills such as welding. He once made a Ferris wheel out of hog troughs.
After quitting high school spring of his senior year (the school had nothing left to teach him), he moved to Las Vegas, NV. While in Vegas, he worked on the ground crew and as a mechanic at an airport. It was during this time that he was drafted into the army during WWII. He fought on the Pacific Front where he was involved in several key battles. His jobs included Intelligence and Reconnaissance. He also guarded the commanding officer. He always had a story to tell about the war for any ear that wanted to hear.
Urban returned to South Dakota following the war. He went to work in the Black Hills as a lumberjack, where he met Gladys Clara Scriver. He knew she was the girl he was going to marry, and told his fellow lumberjacks. Shortly thereafter, Urban asked Gladys to marry him, and she said, "NO". She was only 17 at the time. However, he must have won her over; they were married three months later on September 14, 1946. The marriage was blessed with four children; Doris, Jack, Norman, and Anita.
To support his family, Urban raised hogs, chickens, and cattle. He also took some trucking jobs. He loved working in the shop, fishing, and especially flying. Urban would "buzz" family and friends with his plane. He also enjoyed passing on his knowledge to all who would listen. Urban enjoyed teaching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren on topics ranging from welding and electricity to astronomy and flying an airplane. This was his legacy.
Urban was preceded in death by his loving wife of 70 years, Gladys (Scriver) VanderWey, his parents, his brother Gerald, an infant sister, his grandson, Frank Heath, and great-grandson, James VanderWey. Survivors include sister-in-law, Altha VanderWey, brother, Clarence (Ann) VanderWey, his children Doris (Francis) Heath, Jack (Bonnie) VanderWey, Norman (Dana) VanderWey, Anita (Jeff) Schoenhard, 8 grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Memorial service was held on Friday, March 24 at 11:00 AM at the Lakeview Christian Reformed Church. Inurnment followed at Conley Flat Cemetery south of Eli, NE. Sandoz Chapel of the Pines.