Marian Ida VandePutte

Mariann Ida Vandeputte 

   Marian Ida (Dieken) VandePutte was born to Peter and Ida (Boncquet) Dieken at Green Valley, Minnesota. She attended grade school in Green Valley and St. Joseph Academy of Holy Redeemer, and graduated from Marshall High School.

     Special among her childhood memories was tending sheep and lambs on their family farm; thus her chosen theme of the Good Shepherd.

     In 1946, she and Lester VandePutte were united in Holy Matrimony.  Marian had waited for him to return from serving overseas in World War II. They were blessed with seven children: Joseph, Kathleen, Alyce, Francis, Carolynn, Marjorie and Donna Jo. Special among their daughters’ childhood memories is that Marian “mothered” an orphaned fawn, “Prince,” which came begging to the family door (on schedule) to be bottle-fed with milk and honey, which she always had warmed and ready for him, until he sprouted his tiny antlers and joined his own late that fall. Thereafter, his hoof prints were often found by the well. 

     As farmwife and mother, she enjoyed sewing and gardening, sharing of abundant harvests with our nuns and priests at Holy Redeemer. Also, she preserved and canned great quantities to provide for her family. Of great importance to her was the love and guidance she extended to her brother’s young family after they suffered the loss of their own mother (Marian’s dear friend Harriet.)  She holds a special place in their hearts.

     Marian was a lay member of the Schoenstatt Order, Sweet Adelines, and was active in Extension Club. She also participated with 4-H projects with her children. Ever strong in her Catholic Faith, she instilled in her family the value of hard work and the power of prayer. Almost always, the kids were called in at 7:15 p.m. and on their knees, prayed the Holy Rosary. Every Palm Sunday of their growing up years, the siblings would mount their horses, sent out by their parents, to plant palms on all field corners and pray for God’s blessings for good crops; and almost always, He granted their prayers.

     Marian is preceded in death by all of her family of origin, her former husband, infant son Joseph, son Francis and daughter–in-law Mary (his wife), and great-granddaughter Isabella Conneran. She is survived by her daughters Kathleen (Burkhard) VandePutte-Drees, Alyce Dierickx, Carolynn Bieker (Dean Pouliot), Marjorie Mukomela (Gary Bertsch), Donna Jo VandePutte; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren.

     Marian was a special woman, loved and admired by many.

Blessed be her memory in peace.

      Memorials preferred to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, Holy Redeemer Catholic School, or the Salesian Missions at 2 Le Fevres Ln, New Rochelle, NY 10801.