Pastor Pete, we're going to miss seeing you at New Life. Thanks for loving our littles. You made it a better place. Peace to your family, peace to your memory...

Pastor Pete is always in our thoughts these days at, New Life Academy. He would daily check in at 10:20 am distacating our Kinder class just to get the feedback of the GB game. They may be allergic to purple these two.. I was just happy to make him coffee during the winter months to get him through the cold season. 
Ingrid Grahek 

You can lay the rules down but Pastor Pete just wants them to have fun! I've so enjoyed working recess with Pastor Pete over the last 4 years at NLA.  He was a  friend and confidant, a gramps or father figure to me and all the children at NLA.  His void is evidant but we know he is singing praises to his savior all the days long!
Favorite convos: 
"Girl you're dressed like its winter"  Pete its 48 degrees and 20mh 
winds, its so cold out here.  Pete-"I'm in a tshirt"! 
Pete you should really put some sunscreen on your head .."Nah I use shaving cream "- Ok..
Pete: "Are your Kinders climbing the fence?"  Yeah looks like they are. Do you want to go over their or should we see how high they get first? Pete-"Nah let them have fun, but im sure i'll hear about later"...Ok I'll go... We've now added to the playgropund rules, you can't climb the fence if you're in Kindergarten.
Love this man of God! He was the light in the darkness, always carried the joy of Jesus with his smile, words and actions. He will be remembered though the generations of kiddos he ministered to as well as me.
Praying for your family, take the memories and stories and live like he did! Your are blessed coming and going and one day we'll rejoice in Heavan with Pastor Pete!

Ingrid Grahek 




We are very thankful for the time we shared with Pastor Pete. Sue and family we are very sorry for your loss. We pray the Father continues to give you His strength and comfort to get through this time. We know Pete blessed many people and impacted many lives for Abba's Kingdom. 
Pete and the Vanderhook family blessed our lives, and the entire efree family. 

Pastor Pete, is a very friendly person, very time he saw my kids, (both studying at NLA- Johann and Adniel), he would joyfully greet and talk to them. The boys used to enjoy their conversation with him. He knew how to connect with them very well. 

I was saddened to hear that he passed away. But I believe he is in a better place now, greeting everyone joyfully! Will miss him on earth. Hope to see him one day on the other shore. Our Heartfelt condolences to family and friends.

I had the privilage of working with Pastor Pete two day a week at New life Academy. Pastor Pete was a joy to work with and quickly became a very close friend. He and I were  not unlike the two old guys on the Muppet show! we had such a great time as we watched the kids and many times Pastor Pete was the go to guy to referee the kickball game or oversee the Gaga ball pit! What a delight Pastor Pete was as he share many of the times of his over forty years in ministry. Some of his stories would make you cry, while others would have you crying from laughter.
I suppose my favorite thing was to watch Pastor Pete in his very direct way handle a conflict with a couple of student. They usually went something like this. He would tell them that that's not how Jesu would want them to be acting. Then he'd have them shake hands and tell them to go play and be nice. You really had to see it to appreciate it.
I can tell you with great confidence that he loved those kids and was truly devoted to making their recess time the best it could possible be. Many time at the end of our time for the day he would tell me "the kids played good today" and you could just sence that that was the most inportant thing for him.
I thank God for the time I got to spend with Pastor Pete. I'm thrilled that he is walking on streets of gold and spending time with Jesus, but when I walk out on to that playground I sure do miss him!
Love you Pastor Pete and thanks for being my playground Pastor too!

We're saddened to hear of Wayne's passing. Wayne was an all around good guy and team mate in High School. 
1967 Varsity Photo: Top: Ken George (deceased) Wayne, Len Garigliano, John Guy,
Bottom row: Dennis Babcock, Bob Bridge ( deceased) Roger Stohler, Me: Mario Lembo. Tom White, left ( deceased) 

Donna and I are saddened to hear of Pete’s passing. We are praying for the family. May you be comforted to know he is with the Lord.

My dad always made me feel special, especially on my birthday and Valentine’s Day. For years, I held onto the enormous teddy bears holding hearts. He had so much love for me and my family, and he also made us laugh with his funny jokes, quotes, and silly attitude. I admit that I occasionally blow raspberries while teaching my kids just like he did during some of his sermons. I will quote him saying “No fooling, Shakespeare” “Dutch ain’t much” and “octaliva” and the kids just stare at me like I am weird. Clearly, they aren’t in on the inside joke. He set a pretty high standard, he unapologetically loved with a passion for Jesus, and he never needed a reason to start talking to anyone around him. Reading the other memories on here bring back so many joyful memories that it fills my heart. My dad was a marvelous soul who is with Jesus now, and he will never be forgotten! I love you, dad!

I had the privilege of working with Pastor Pete for 3 years.  He LOVED being around little kids and would often play hide and seek.  The kids called him grandpa and he would chase them through the playground which would elicit tons of laughter daily!  He knew the kids by name and when he talked to them he would truly see each and every one of them.  I can’t wait to see him again in Heaven, but  until then I will miss him here on earth. He was a special special man!!!

Remembering Pastor Pete:
He loved to sing and would enthusiastically echo the chorus of 
"How great is our God" I can still hear his voice in my head.
Always ended his message with an opportunity to receive Jesus.
He love being "Dutch" and was very proud of his heritage.
He baptized our son when he was 19 along with many others at Lake Washington. 
He officiated weddings for two of our kids.  Making it a very special time for them. 
He laughed a lot and enjoyed life.
He loved his family.
He more than anything loved Jesus. 
He meant a lot to our family.  
Bless you Vander Hook family, our sincere love goes out to you

Pete gave me a daily smile, as he walked through the halls of New Life, on his way to the playground. He opened my door in the middle of meetings to give me grief or say something funny, and he brought everything to a very real and fun place. I helped Pete daily for about 6 months with his timecard, but he helped me too by bringing joy to New Life and my own children. Pete made our kids feel safe. He made them smile. I met them where they were at and related to them. Playgrounds are where heart and physical injuries happen in elementary school. Knowing Pete would be there when this happened gave me peace. I pray he will help influence who ends up here in his place. Love him so much and miss him every day...

Pastor Pete was very much loved by the children at New Life Academy, including my granddaughters, Isabella and Olivia. Our thoughts and prayers are with Pastor Pete's family, and though he will be GREATLY missed by all of us, we find comfort and hope in the Lord. 

Pastor Pete - What a man with a passion for Jesus!!!  So sorry to see him go so young.  Our prayers are with you Sue and family.  We mourn with you. 

We have so many fun memories with Pastor Pete over the years at E Free.   My wife and I were new to Mankato and new to E-free.  He was as welcoming as they come.  His sarcastic wit was very relatable, especially for me.  But his passion on the pulpit was always evident.  

Heaven gained a good one!

Brandon & Elizabeth Beery
Reese, Kael, Mazie

My Condolences go out to the Vander Hook family and especially his wife Sue.
Pete had a real zest for the Lord and he will be missed but is in Heaven with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and is being well taken care of in Heaven with our Lord and Savior. He walked the talk and is being very well rewarded in Heaven. 
Godspeed Pastor Pete until we see each other again in Heaven. 
                        In Jesus Name 🙏 
                        Steve Dougall

To the family of Pastor  Pete, 
We are so saddened to hear of Pete's passing.   Mike and I have fond memories of  "our" Pastor Pete while attending E- Free in Mankato.   There was never a doubt that he loved the Lord.  We could always count on Pastor Pete to give us encouragement  every Sunday.   May his memories bring you comfort and sustain you at this difficult time.  




I met Mr V. in middle school through Jalene. He was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. Thank you for putting up with our loud sleepovers, picking me up before AWANA, etc. You were so loved and will be greatly missed. 💜

Sue and family, 
I am so sorry to hear of Pete’s passing.  You and your  family are In our prayers.

Jayne Flood ~ Charlie, Danielle and Jenn.

Pastor Pete will always be special in my heart.  He visited me in the hospital after the birth of each of my three children, and prayed with me and the newborn.  This is such a simple but special memory, and a blessing my family received.    

Pastor Pete dedicated our three oldest children and was very influential in their faith formation through the preaching of God's Word and his involvement in the AWANA program. One of my strongest memories happened while we were in Belize on a missions trip with a group from church (I can't find any photos!). I don't recall the exact reason, but Pastor Pete was asked to give the message, VERY spur of the moment, at the church we attended on Sunday. He got up and gave us the Word without hesitation. Later that night after a team debrief, I remember sitting with Tom Johnson and Pastor Pete and in tears sharing with him how proud I was to have him as my pastor.

I have fond memories and a tenderness in my heart when I remember Pastor Pete. A couple favorites are the Christmas parties in his home and Camp Patterson baptisms (myself and our 3 oldest children). I recall going into the church for a “quick minute” and regularly ending up in a 30 minute conversation with Pastor Pete! He always had time for people. I can still hear his voice singing, “He is Lord” at the end of a service, him quickly quipping, “note…” before making an important point in a message, and closing the service with his familiar benediction (which my kids can still quote word for word) and then, “…and all God’s people said, ‘Amen’ and amen. God bless…you are dismissed.” AMEN Pastor Pete! We’re blessed by you!

Our family loved Pastor Pete very much. He dedicated all of our kids and baptized and taught them so much about Jesus! They still repeat his benediction. He was an amazing man of God and I’m so thankful for the role he played in our family. Praying for his family and I know his impact on this world was great!

Mykaela, so sorry for your loss. It is never easy. Sending you strength during this difficult time and prayers to help guide you and your family

Kathy and Daryl Dressel

So sorry for the loss of Pete , husband Dad and Grandfather in your daily life’s. I always enjoyed being around Pete , alway a smile on his face, it made me wonder what he might be upto. God Bless Pete in to your heavenly kingdom. I remember at time at the beach with Pete and he was out swimming and lifeguards insisted he come ashore, but Pete wasn’t interested but he finally gave in and came to shore. It was also very nice that he Married Josh and Christine, it’s is special memory that he preformed the wedding vows. God bless you Sue and Josh and the whole Family.
Love you all God Bless . 

OBITUARIO

W. Peter Vander Hook

25 noviembre, 1948 – 30 abril, 2023

Wulff Woodbury Funeral Home

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