Cliff Vander Zwaag

Cliff was born on June 21, 1945 at Orange City Hospital in Orange City, Iowa. He was the son of Henry P. and Alvina (Kleinhesselink) Vander Zwaag. Cliff was raised in the Newkirk, Iowa area and graduated from Floyd Valley High School in 1963. As a young man, Cliff spent long days working on the family farm (and fighting, scheming and competing) with older brothers Peter Dean Vander Zwaag and Gerald Vander Zwaag (deceased).

On June 25, 1965 Cliff married the girl of his dreams, Audrey Gayle Vander Wilt, at Alton Reformed Church of Alton, Iowa. Cliff and Audrey shared many experiences and joys during their 55 years together. They were blessed with two children: one daughter, Crystal, and one son, Kevin; and blessed again with five grandchildren, Andrew, Sloane, Camden, McKinley and Gerrit.

Cliff was a farm boy, a plumber, and, for 22 years, the maintenance supervisor for the Christian Living Communities. Tinkering and inventing were at the core of Cliff’s soul, and he took well-deserved pride in the many labor saving devices he ingeniously created at work and at home.

Cliff also was an Army veteran. He was stationed at Fort Jackson, SC; Fort Dix, NJ; and Fort Carson, CO. He was an expert marksman and an ace on the Army base fast-pitch softball teams, a role that saved him many unsavory tasks.

Cliff was dedicated and devoted to his faith and attended Parker Evangelical Presbyterian Church (PEPC).

One of Cliff’s favorite pursuits was using his expert plumbing, welding, electrical, woodworking and metalworking skills to help others. He also loved dancing with his sweetheart, playing cards and board games with his grandchildren, and playing practical jokes on family, friends and co-workers. Above all else, he enjoyed talking with everyone!

Cliff derived much satisfaction from participating in and watching sports. Recreational sports included golf, fast-pitch softball, and bocce ball. It was a rare occasion when he missed a Rockies or a Nuggets game, and he took in as many college hoops games, golf tournaments, and tractor pulls as he could. Always ready for an adventure, Cliff relished Lake Powell houseboat trips; golfing on Maui, Hawaii; and visiting Mesa, Arizona.

Upon retiring in 2012, Cliff took great joy in his days with Audrey at their home on the 10th tee at Heritage Eagle Bend. He indulged his golf habit, found great wonder in the odd swings and spectacular sunsets visible from his back patio, and found pleasure in learning bocce ball. Cliff continued to stay in touch with his old friends and, like always, made plenty of new ones.

Cliff Vander Zwaag passed away in his home on August 15, 2020, embraced in the loving comfort of his family. He is survived by his wife Audrey, his daughter Crystal (Scott) Clark, Centennial, CO; his son Kevin (Jill) Vander Zwaag, Johnston, IA; and his grandchildren, Andrew (Bianca) Vander Zwaag, Sloane Vander Zwaag, Camden Vander Zwaag, McKinley Clark and Gerrit Clark. Cliff will be laid to rest at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Denver, CO.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Healing Families Transforming Lives at PEPC.org/give or mail donations to 9030 Miller Rd., Parker, CO 80138

Due to Covid gathering limitations, please join the service via Zoom:

Topic: Service for Cliff Vander Zwaag

Time: Sep 8, 2020 10:00 AM Mountain Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85367177901?pwd=TnBtZStyQ1JvdkNzUEM1bkhwQStOUT09

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