Vandel V. Kirkeby

Vandel was born at Hannaford, North Dakota on June 13, 1913, to John and Hulda (Peterson) Kirkeby. He was baptized on July17, 1913, in the Lutheran Church of which he has been a lifetime member. He was the oldest of 5 children, Mildred, Gladys, Myron and Richard. Vandel spent his early life on the family farm in North Dakota. He graduated from Hannaford High School on May 29, 1931. The depression and severe dust storms which led to failed crops forced him to seek employment elsewhere. He spent the years of the 1930's drought and dust storms traveling back and forth between North Dakota, Montana and Washington looking for work of any kind. He picked apples in Wenatchee, WA; potatoes in Ellensburg, WA; he worked one winter at a foundry on the lower first avenue in Seattle, WA. Summer months found him doing carpenter work on remolding projects and inspecting new buildings on farms that had been repossess by the banks and insurance companies. In 1940, he went to work for the Anaconda Company in Montana. There he met the love of his life, Sara Pasich. They were married on April 7, 1940 and lived their entire married life at 1200 East 6th St.in Anaconda. Sadly Sara passed away on September 1, 1985. Vandel died on Friday, November 15, 2013 at the Community Nursing Home of Anaconda. Vandel is survived by his daughter, Vandelyn (Roger) Kujala; daughter-in-law, Polly Bellville Kirkeby and daughter-in-law, Candice Lucas Kirkeby; grandchildren; Steven Kujala, Quentin (Dee LaTray) Kujala, Kristy (Russell) Morris, LeAnn (Gary) Bauman and Beret Kirkeby; great-grandchildren; Sara and Zachary Morris, Madison, Macey and Mason Bauman and Qayl Kujala. Preceded in death by parents, wife, and two sons, Richard and John. Memorial can be made to the Hope Lutheran church or the charity of your choice. Funeral services for Vandel Kirkeby will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 22, 2013, at the Hope Lutheran Church, Anaconda. There will be one hour of visitation at the church prior to his services.

Service

NOV 22. 10:30 AM (MST)

Hope Lutheran Church 1506 W. Pennsylvania Ave. Anaconda, MT

Graveside Service

NOV 22. 2:00 PM (MST)

Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery Butte, MT 59701