Randy Vanderiet

Garry Randall VandeRiet was born August 23, 1946 to Gary and Ardeth Vanderiet of Downs, Kansas. His brother, Rick was born when he was four. Rick and Randy always took care of each other.

Randy's first memories were of being on "the farm." His Granny and Grampy VandeRiet lived there and he spent quite a lot of time with them during his growing up years. He had a horse, Nipper, he loved to ride Indian style over the hill to his neighbor, John Stegink's house. He tried his hardest to scare "the old guy."

Growing up, Randy spent a lot of time with his cousins. He and Freddie were always "trying to stay out of trouble." Randy and Mike were especially good friends. From the stories Randy told, they were an ornery pair always up for having fun. Sunday afternoons were spent with friends Merrill and Carroll Verhage, Don Wichers and others.

Randy attended Green Valley Country school through the 8th grade. When Randy started Downs High School he was in a "whole different world." Among his high school friends, one he especially enjoyed spending time with was Warren Otte.

Randy married Jayne Wise on September 18, 1965. Randy and Jayne have three children, Joni, Rik and Rhonda. He loved his children and was very proud of their accomplishments. Randy also loved spending time with his five grandkids and had a special bond with each of them. He enjoyed taking them fishing and having them help with gardening.

Throughout his life, he served in the Army National Guard, he worked various farm related jobs, farmed, drove a school bus. Driving the bus was one of the jobs he most enjoyed.

Randy was an avid hunter. When Randy was 5 or 6 he received his first gun, a 410 and spent as much time as possible exploring the farm. His first hunting memory was when he was about 6 years old. He remembered shooting a rabbit, skinning it, building a fire and cooking it. He remained an avid hunter throughout the years. Moving from hunting with a rifle to bow hunting. While he enjoyed getting the deer, he most enjoyed the process of finding, tracking and waiting for the perfect shot.

After retiring from farming, Randy explored and enjoyed a variety of hobbies, including, fishing, painting, baking bread, making beef jerky, gardening and cooking.

Randy's faith grew through the years. When he faced lung cancer in 2011, he chose to leave it completely in God's hands. When advised after surgery to go through chemo, Randy said to the doctor there was no need as he knew he'd been healed of cancer. During this time, he was also diagnosed with COPD. Randy had faith through this illness and was ready to go be with his Lord and Savior.

Randy passed away on February 7, 2020 at Salina Regional Hospital, surrounded by family.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his wife, Jayne, daughters Joni Conn (Roy), Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and Rhonda Ortega (Chay), Kansas City, Missouri; son, Rik VandeRiet (Vanessa), Manhattan, Kansas; grandchildren, Madeline, Owen and Annabel VandeRiet, and Isaias and Nina Ortega; and brother, Rick VandeRiet.

A memorial service will be at 11 AM Saturday, February 15 at the Dispatch Christian Church. Cremation was chosen & there will be no visitation. Memorials will be announced.