6/7/2017 8:48:00 AM Funeral for Calvin Vrieze June 9 at Stewartville UMC
The funeral service for Calvin J. Vrieze, 81, of rural Racine, will be at held at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 9, 2017, at Stewartville United Methodist Church, with Rev. Bridget Sheely and Rev. Wane Souhrada officiating. Burial will follow at Hamilton Cemetery in rural Racine, with military graveside honors by Stewartville American Legion Post 164.
Mr. Vrieze died on Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at his home surrounded by family.
Calvin John Vrieze was born on Nov. 11, 1935 in Spring Valley, to Harry and Winnie (Hess) Vrieze. He grew up on the family farm and attended country school. He enlisted into the U.S. Army serving from 1954 to 1956 including duty overseas in Germany. Following his discharge, he returned to southeast Minnesota and was employed as a carpenter.
Calvin was married on March 8, 1958 at Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Rochester, to Maxine E. Ihrke. The couple lived in Rochester for two years before moving to rural Spring Valley and then rural Kasson where they farmed. In 1971 they returned to rural Spring Valley to the current Vrieze family farm, where they raised their family and have continued to make their home. Cal was a dairy farmer for many years and after a brief retirement continued to help with the family farm operation. Maxine was a homemaker and farmwife and was employed at Mayo Clinic, Sam's Club and Fleet Farm in Rochester.
Calvin was a longtime member of the Racine United Methodist Church. He served on the Hamilton Cemetery Board and was a member of the Stewartville American Legion. Cal and Maxine rarely missed a Saturday night dance at the Pla-Mor Ballroom in Rochester and enjoyed taking trips together and with friends. He also enjoyed hunting and fishing. Cal loved time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great- grandchildren.
The Vrieze family would like to thank all the staff at Mayo Hospice for their support and loving care for Calvin.
Calvin is survived by his wife, Maxine; two daughters and two sons, Sandra Schatz of rural Spring Valley, Ron (Robin) of rural Racine, JoAnn (Scott) Osterhus of Stewartville and Bryan (Dawn) of Racine; 13 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; one sister and three brothers, Vivian Rodenz of Mabel, Avery (Donna) Vrieze of Spring Valley, Kenneth (Joanne) Vrieze of rural Racine, Floyd Vrieze of Storm Lake, Iowa and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, three sisters, Harriet Rolli, Dorothy Burmeister and Eleanor Squire; his brother, Franklin Vrieze and a son-in-law, Delbert Schatz, Jr.
A time of visitation will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, June 8, 2017 at Stewartville United Methodist Church and one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday morning. Arrangements are with Griffin-Gray Funeral Home in Stewartville. www.griffin-gray.com
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