Fifteenth Generation

1089. Fred Griggs VANDERVORT (+) (~) was born on 4 July 1914 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.^{325,364,881,882} (This is a picture of Fred and his twin sister, Freda, when they were several months old.)

(When they were born, their mother apparently wanted to name the twins Bernard and Bernice, but their father didn't like those names, so they were named Fred and Freda.) He appeared in the census in 1920 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁵⁸ He appeared in the census in 1930 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁵⁹ Between 1934 and 1953 Fred was a farmer in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³²⁵ on the farm that was originally bought by Lucius S. Griggs in 1865. The property was later farmed by Lucius' son, Clarence, and then by Clarence's daughter Mattie and her husband, Rollie Vandervort (Fred's parents). He appeared in the census in 1940 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶²⁷ His occupation was "Farm Hand, Farm.". He appeared in the census in 1950 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶²⁸ He and his family were living with his parents and his occupation was "Farmer, Farm." Between 1953 and 1979 Fred was a factory worker at Briggs & Stratton in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI. He died on 7 February 1991 at the age of 76 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^325,882 Obituary Notes: "Fred Vandervort died Thursday, February 7, 1991 in Tomah Memorial Hospital. He was born July 4, 1914 to Rollie and Mattie (Griggs) Vandervort in the town of LaGrange, Monroe County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tomah.

He spent the early years of his life farming with his father in the township of LaGrange. He was united in marriage to Thelma May on April 12, 1934 at the St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church parsonage. In 1953 they moved to Milwaukee, where he was employed by Briggs and Stratton Corp. until his retirement in 1979. After retiring, they moved back to Tomah. He was an active and faithful member of St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church.

In addition to his wife, Thelma, he is survived by two daughters, Mrs. David (Claudine) Stockmann and Mrs. Keith (Marsha) Rosynek, both of Milwaukee; two sons, Ronald (Uiko) of Seattle, WA and Maynard of West Allis; five grandchildren, Allen and Arlys Stockmann, Kate Vandervort, Ben and Luke Rosynek; two great-grandchildren, Karen and Tabatha Stockmann; his twin sister, Freda Clay of Tomah; and many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Dale and two sisters, Helen and Willeene.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, February 9, 1991 from St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran Church, Tomah. Vicar Michael T. Jensen officiated, and burial was in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah."
He was buried on 9 February 1991 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.^325,784,883 in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Fred Griggs VANDERVORT (+) (~) and Thelma Bernice MAY (^) were married on 12 April 1934 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁵⁵¹ Thelma Bernice MAY (^), daughter of Edward F. MAY and Emma Hulda SONNENBERG, was born on 21 January 1916 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶⁴⁹ She appeared in the census in 1920 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁵⁸ She appeared in the census in 1930 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.⁴⁵⁹ Thelma appeared in the census in 1940 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶²⁷ She appeared in the census in 1950 in La Grange Township, Monroe County, WI.⁶²⁸ She died on 6 March 2009 at the age of 93 in Port Edwards, Wood County, WI.³²⁵

Obituary Notes: "Thelma Bernice Vandervort, 93, of Port Edwards and formerly of Tomah died Friday, March 6, 2009 at Edgewater Haven Nursing Home in Port Edwards. She was born January 21, 1916 to Edward and Emma (Sonnenberg) May in the Township of La Grange, Monroe County, WI. She was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Tomah. She was a graduate of Tomah High School. She was united in marriage to Fred G. Vandervort on April 12, 1934 at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church Parsonage. They lived in Milwaukee for many years and moved back to Tomah in 1979. Fred preceded her in death February 7, 1991. She worked at the Tomah Cash Store and later as a secretary in the Medical Supply office at Camp McCoy.

She was a faithful member of St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church in Tomah. She was an active member in church organizations, craft clubs and was a member of the West Sound Quilters Club. Her hobbies were sewing, quilting, hardanger and other handcrafts.

She is survived by 2 daughters Claudine (David) Stockmann of Wisconsin Rapids, Marcia (Keith) Rosynek of Milwaukee, 2 sons Ronald of Seattle, WA and Maynard (Diane) of West Allis, 4 grandchildren Allen and Arlys Stockmann, Kate Vandervort, Luke Rosynek, 3 great-grandchildren Karen and Tabatha Stockmann, and Keanu Kresovic, 1-great-great-grandson Lavin Stockman and a sister Arlys Herrick of Marshfield, nieces, nephews, many other relatives and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Fred, a grandson Ben Rosynek, a daughter-in-law Uiko Vandervort, 2 brothers Norman May and Maynard May.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Ev. Lutheran Church, 525 Superior Avenue, Tomah. Pastor Curt S. Backhaus will officiate. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Tomah. Relatives and friends are invited to call on Thursday from 10 a.m.. until the time of service.

The Sonnenburg Family Funeral Home, Tomah is assisting the family with arrangements."

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Thelma was buried on 12 March 2009 in Tomah, Tomah Township, Monroe County, WI.³²⁵ in the Oak Grove Cemetery.

Fred Griggs VANDERVORT (+) (~) and Thelma Bernice MAY (^) had the following children: