Robert “Bob” Vrieze

On December 21, 2018, Robert ‘Bob’ Vrieze, gathering the few tools he had remaining, jumped in his truck and left us all to see his Lord. Bob was known for his keen sense of directions. He was born March 10, 1919, the son of Henry and Christine (Schouten) Vrieze. He graduated from Baldwin High School and later integrated himself into the workforce as a carpenter and mason. On June 20, 1944, he was united in marriage to La Verne Meengs in Cedar Grove, WI; the union was blessed with three children. Bob was kindhearted, selfless and loved his family above all things in life. He traveled the country and enjoyed every moment they spent together. He was an earnest volunteer in his church. His hobbies included fishing, roller skating, music, and working with stained glass. He participated in Barbershop quartets, the Dutch Masters and church choirs. In 1987, he donated his time and the materials needed to build the windmill at Baldwin’s Windmill Park.

Bob will remain in the hearts of his wife of 74 years, La Verne; children, Kevin (Jerilyn) Vrieze, Gregory (Judy) Vrieze, Judith (Tom) Burns; grandchildren, Eden (Chris) Le, Taylor Vrieze, Allison (Mike) Hilliard, Melissa (Jason) Freeling, Mary Burns, Mercedes Burns (James) Barklage, and Simon Burns; great grandchildren, Braden Freeling, Emma Vrieze – Le, Ava Freeling and Chloe Vrieze-Le; sister Ruth (Wayne) Veenendall; sisters-in-law Delores Vrieze and Jean Schroder; and extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Christine; siblings Lawrence (Magdeline) Vrieze, Merton (Harriet) Vrieze, Willard (Ida) Vrieze, Eunice (Russell) Brower, Eugene ‘Wes’ Vrieze and Marion ‘Pete’ Vrieze.

A Memorial Service for Robert will be held at 2:00 PM, Sunday, March 10, 2019, at the Christian Reformed Church of Baldwin, WI. A private interment will be held at the Baldwin Cemetery prior to his Memorial Service.