Robert Valere Vandendriessche was born Nov. 4, 1932 in Tracy, to Alois and Clara (Vercruysee) Vandendriessche. He attended grade school in Milroy and graduated from Tracy High School.
Bob and Rosemary Louwagie were married January 16, 1958 in St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Milroy. They were blessed with five children.
Farming was Bob’s pride and joy. He farmed in partnership with his brother Raymond and later with his son Steven on his farm south of Marshall. Bob and Rosemary moved into Marshall in 1988 due to Rosemary’s ALS. Bob lovingly cared for Rosemary until her death in 1989.
In 1990, Bob married Dorothy (Coudron) Walser in Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Marshall.
While farming and after retirement from the farm Bob enjoyed volunteering in the community. He served on Prairie Home Hospice Board and the Holy Redeemer Parish Council. He also enjoyed several years as a school crossing guard, working at Heart to Heart and the Food Shelf and bringing Jesus in Communion to shut-ins. His favorite pastime was playing cards with his family and at the Adult Community Center.
Bob died suddenly and peacefully on July 27, 2014 at his home in Marshall.
Bob is survived by his wife, Dorothy, of Marshall, daughter, Teresa (and Donald) DeLanghe of Marshall, sons, Dennis (and Dori) Vandendriessche of Sanford, FL, Joel Vandendriessche of Brookfield, WI, Jon (and Julie) Vandendriessche of Longwood, FL, Steven (and Lisa) Vandendriessche of Marshall, step-children; Brian (and Andrea) Walser of Charlotte, NC, Mark (and Jenny) Walser of New Prague, MN, and Brad (and Tricia) Walser of Fayetteville, NC; seventeen grandchildren, six step-grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Rosemary, brothers George, Richard, Paul, Leon, Raymond, and infant brother Joseph and other extended family.
Memorials are preferred to Holy Redeemer Catholic Church or Holy Redeemer School.
