Bernard Wilhelmus Vanwarmerdam

1918 - 2011

Dairyman Ben Van Warmerdam, 93, passed away Thursday, March 10. He was remembered by his family and friends as a hard worker, family man, and a passionate leader and advocate for the dairy industry. Ben was born in the Netherlands, and during World War II, he served in the Dutch army where he played an important leadership role in the Dutch Underground Resistance. He immigrated to the United States in 1947, and married his wife, Quirina, in 1955. He started his own dairy in Elk Grove in the early fifties, and relocated twice prior to his current dairy location in Galt. Ben was very involved with the dairy industry and community. He held numerous leadership positions with the following organizations: Arcohe School Board, Herald 4-H, Dairy Herd Improvement Assoc., California Cooperative Creamery, Western United Dairyman, Dairy Council of California, and Farm Bureau. He was awarded Sacramento County Agri-businessman of the year in 1976. He was a mentor to his sons and many members of the dairy community. He was very proud of his family, and of his sons who continue to manage and operate the dairy in Galt. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Quirina; his children Mary (Mark), Arleen (Paul), Leo (Darla), Louise (Kevin), Caroline (Jim), Peter (Tricia), Benny; 13 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. Services will take place at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Elk Grove. Recitation of the Rosary will be held on Thursday, March 17 at 7:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Friday, March 18 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at East Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to California Future Farmers of America (FFA) Foundation. Make checks payable to California FFA Foundation, P.O. Box 834, Elk Grove, CA 95759. (Memo: In memory of Ben Van Warmerdam)