Howie Vande Guchte

Howie Vande Guchte, age 86, beloved husband, father, grandfather and minister of God, went to be with his Lord on September 16, 2018.

Howard Gordon Vande Guchte was born May 15, 1932, in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, to Martin and Katherine (Otten) Vande Guchte. He was preceded in death by brothers Christian (Janet), Robert (Dorothy) and Bernard Vande Guchte, sister Cordelia (Dick) DeBlaey, brother and sister-in-law William and Patricia Vanderbilt, and great granddaughter Hannah Vande Guchte. He will be greatly missed by his wife of 63 years Virginia (Vanderbilt) Vande Guchte; children John and Trina (Scott, Zoe, Sydney and Dane), James and Lori (Nathan and Kristen [Ty, Addi and Bennett], Matthew [Hailey and Travis], Kara and Andrew Winton and Kelsi) and Jack and Erin (Juan and Olivia); sister Judy and Jack Knosher; sister and brother-in-law Mary (Vanderbilt) and Roy Ackermann; sister-in-law Susan Vanderbilt and many nieces and nephews.

After graduating from Sheboygan North High School, Howie attended Northwestern and Wheaton Colleges, graduating from the latter in 1955. He was married to Virginia that same year. He graduated from Western Theological Seminary in 1958 and began his pastoral career that same year at Sandham Memorial Reformed Church in Monroe, South Dakota. In 1961 he moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he began his 37 year service as pastor at Grace Reformed Church, where he continued to cultivate lifelong friendships and relationship. He has spent the past 10 years leading the Senior Ministry at Grace.

In addition to his church and family life, Howie enjoyed competing in and following sports and games of all kinds, especially tennis, ping pong and golf, but his greatest joy in life was sharing the Good News of the Gospel. He enjoyed the last 9 months of his life in fellowship with friends and family at The Meadows.

VISITATION: Friends may call on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, from 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. at Grace Reformed Church, 163 East 18th Street, Fond du Lac.

FUNERAL: Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, September 18, 2018, at 6:00 p.m. at Grace Reformed Church, with Rev. Barry Vegter officiating. Fellowship will follow the service. Burial will take place at Hingham Cemetery on Wednesday, September 19, 2018.

Memorial contributions will be distributed to Grace Reformed Church, Mission India and Christian radio station WRVM.

The Vande Guchte family wishes a sincere “Thank You” to the amazing staff of both The Meadows and Heartland Hospice.

Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel & Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420