Ignatius Martin Vanderzanden

Ignatius, nicknamed “Nish” was born at the farm home in Verboort Oregon.  He was raised with nine brothers and sisters in the small farming community of Verboort.



He went to school at the Visitation Catholic grade school and wasn’t able to complete his education as he was needed on their farm.  Of course helping with the church was paramount in this community and he faithfully did his part.  In fact, during the annual Verboort Sausage dinner, he could be found at the neighbors house making coffee in 5 gallon cream cans of which many batches were made on the day of the dinner.



He joined the National Guard and faithfully served as a corporal for three years.  Like on the farm, most of the money that he made was given back to the family and church. While in the Guard he hurried home on the weekends to court his sweetheart Marylee Meeuwsen.  He married Marylee and settled in a small house that he built with the help of friends and family.  This house was located on two acres on the SE corner of the original acreage where his parents raised him.  All of his six children were raised on the small farm.



He worked as an asphalt paver for a while, then landed a job for the railroad as a Gandy Dancer for 30 years.  A Gandy Dancer is one who maintains the rails and does the day-to-day maintenance required for the train tracks.  He knew every railroad and all the train lines names in Washington County and near his retirement, commuted every day to Salem to work the rails down there.

Not once did he miss work due to illness and received a letter from the railroad congratulating his work ethic.  He was so proud of that accomplishment that it was framed.



His family lived in the little house on the farm for 18 years, then moved to Beaverton.

He divorced, but remained on good terms with Marylee.



His love of farming stayed with him and was evident in all the beautiful flowers and huge garden that surrounded his house.  He enjoyed trout fishing and would always come home with a string of them from nearby creeks. Nish never stayed still and was involved with playing pool and won pool tournaments in the nearby establishments.  Even though he moved from the small community, he continued enjoying visits with his numerous relatives.  He enjoyed traveling to destinations including Europe, Reno, Disneyland,and various areas of Oregon and Washington.



The house in the city was never empty as many Christmas, Father’s Day and birthday parties were held there.  It was always a place where love was surrounding all who walked into his door.

He stayed in the house 45 years and moved into a retirement home in Hillsboro.



He is survived by six children and their spouses, seven grandchildren and five great grand children.