Ira Vande Geest

Ira "Arie" Vande Geest, beloved father, grandfather, uncle and friend went to be with The Lord on December 12, 2014 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics after a short illness.

A funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at the First United Presbyterian Church, 801 16th Street, Moline. Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Esterdahl Mortuary & Crematory, Ltd., 6601 38 Avenue, Moline. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Military honors will be conducted by the Moline American Legion Post #246. Memorials may be made to the First United Presbyterian Church or to Calvary Church of the Quad Cities.

Ira was born in Reasnor, Iowa on November 23, 1924. He was the middle of five children born to Dutch Immigrants Gerrit and Jennie Dekker Vande Geest. He married Marjorie May Haaskker after a brief courtship and together they raised two children in Moline, Illinois. They were married for 57 years, before she passed away in 2005.

He served in the Navy in the Pacific theater, during World War II, after working for a year in the Chicago Ford Auto Plant. He told many stories of his antics in the Navy; especially after he found favor with the ships commander who affectionately called him "slim." He practiced the plumbing trades; a profession stimulated by his work as a ship fitter in the Navy. Ira was proud of his service and had recently participated in a Honor Flight. After his military service, Ira began Vande Geest Plumbing which he operated for 58 years. He finally retired at the age of 85.

Ira could make stories of installing a sewer or water line or of a Saturday morning golf game sound more exciting than a thrilling adventure novel. When he told his stories, his eyes lit up and his enthusiasm and smile were infectious.

Naturally musical, Ira could play the mandolin by ear. He sang and played with a small church group for several years. He was also an excellent golfer; bowler, horseshoe player and "fix it" man who would "rework" a 79 cent switch rather than replace it. He was also a pilot who owned and flew Bonanza and Piper aircrafts for many years. When he was younger he loved to pheasant hunt on Saturday mornings but in his later years golf was his passion. He was rarely without his trusted Weimaraner companion and friend, Callie, who kept him company as well as helped him run errands.

Despite his many God given talents, Ira was most proud of his family whom he raised in the Christian faith. He was a 65-year member of First United Presbyterian Church in Moline where he served as a Sunday school teacher and Elder. In recent years he often also enjoyed worshipping with his other church family at Calvary Church of the Quad Cities. As much as he loved life, he loved Jesus more, and he longed to live eternally with his heavenly Father who, Ira would tell you, "saved a wretched sinner like me."

Ira is survived by
Son Larry (Ginny) Vande Geest
Daughter Julie (Mike) Weger
7 Grandchildren Lori, Nicolaas, Jonathan, Jessica, Evan, Lukas and Jennieke.
7 Great grandchildren Ian, Lance, Arie, Kiley, Willem, Austin and Tré
Many beloved Nieces and Nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.

He was dearly loved and will be missed here on earth, but we rejoice at his arrival in heaven.

Share a memory with the family by visiting his obituary at www.esterdahl.com