Mildred M. "Millie" (Vanderveldren) Vanderzanden, 75, a longtime resident of the Forest Grove community, died Friday morning, November 16, 2012 at her home.

MILDRED MARY "MILLIE" (VANDERVELDEN) VANDERZANDEN was born on July 17, 1937 in Verboort, Oregon, the daughter of the late Edward J. and Mary (Kemper) Vandervelden. She was raised and received her education in the Visitation community, having been a graduate with Visitation High School Class of 1953.

She was united in marriage to Richard Eugene "Dick" Vanderzanden on November 19, 1960 in the Visitation Church in Verboort, Oregon. They would have celebrated their 52nd Wedding Anniversary on November 19th. Following their marriage they have made their home in the Verboort community, where they have resided since.

Millie had worked for Gray and Company Cannery and for the Bird's Eye Cannery. She also worked part-time at the Verboort store for several years, besides working as a plastic molder for Tektronix in Beaverton for twelve years until her retirement in 1971, due to failing health.

She was a lifelong member of Visitation Catholic Church and the Housewives Bowling League.

Millie was a homemaker. She and Dick cared for her mother, Mary Vandervelden for many years.

Among her special interests, Millie enjoyed gardening, card playing, watching sports, especially baseball. She also enjoyed her daily card games with Richard, flowers and fishing. She also had a special love for visiting the Spirit Mountain Casino. She loved the holiday season, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas, where she made her special stuffing recipe. Every Christmas she would put up more lights.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward J. and Mary (Kemper) Vandervelden; her two brothers, Edwin and Robert "Bob" Vandervelden and her sister Florene Meeuwsen.

Survivors include her husband, Richard E. "Dick" Vanderzanden, of the family home in Verboort, Oregon; her son, Gene Vanderzanden, of Verboort, Oregon; her three sisters and brother-in-law, Marjorie "Marge" Lindow, of Forest Grove, Oregon; Marcella Jansen, of Banks, Oregon and Loretta Hertel, of Roy, Oregon; her brother and sister-in-law, Harold "Harry" and Evelyn Vandervelden, of Verboort, Oregon and a special family friend and Millie's favorite nurse, Paula Love, of Vernonia, Oregon.

Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.

The family suggests that remembrances may be contributions to Visitation Catholic School, 4285 N.W. Visitation Road, Forest Grove, Oregon 97116, in her memory.